Northern Ohio and Northwestern Pennsylvania – Snow showers, gusty winds, and falling temperatures are expected to create hazardous travel conditions this evening and overnight, as Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across a wide portion of the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, advisories cover much of north central and northeast Ohio, including the Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Mansfield, Sandusky, and Youngstown areas, as well as northwestern Pennsylvania, including Erie, Meadville, Titusville, and Corry.
Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected across much of northern Ohio, with locally higher amounts in the snowbelt and higher terrain. In northwestern Pennsylvania, 2 to 4 inches of snow are possible, particularly at higher elevations. Winds are forecast to gust between 40 and 45 mph, leading to areas of blowing and drifting snow.
After a brief lull this afternoon, snow showers and snow squalls are expected to redevelop this evening as an Arctic front moves through. The combination of gusty winds and falling temperatures may cause rapidly deteriorating road conditions, with patchy blowing snow reducing visibility at times.
The hazardous conditions are expected to impact the Friday evening commute, with slick roads likely on highways, secondary roads, bridges, and overpasses. In some areas, especially open and exposed roadways, visibility may change suddenly as snow squalls move through.
Advisories are scheduled to expire at 10 p.m. for parts of northwest and north central Ohio, and 1 a.m. Saturday for northeast Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania.
Transportation officials in both states urge motorists to delay unnecessary travel, reduce speed, and allow extra stopping distance. Drivers are encouraged to check current road conditions at www.ohgo.com in Ohio and www.511pa.com in Pennsylvania.
