Cleveland, OH – Lake-enhanced snow could begin piling up after sunset Sunday, threatening to coat Interstate 90 and slow traffic across northeast Ohio before the Monday morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, a Winter Storm Watch takes effect Sunday evening and continues through late Monday night for Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula Inland, Medina and Summit counties. Forecasters say 6 inches or more of accumulation is possible as heavier lake-enhanced bands develop Sunday night and persist into Monday night. Light snow will spread in earlier Sunday, but minimal accumulation is expected before the more intense bands organize.
Communities including Cleveland, Mentor, Painesville, Chardon, Medina and Akron could see periods of steady, heavy snowfall that quickly cover roadways. I-90 along the Lake Erie shoreline and I-271 through the eastern suburbs may turn slick as bands shift inland. Snow intensity could vary sharply over short distances, a hallmark of lake-effect setups.
The greatest impacts are expected during both the Monday morning and evening commutes. Drivers should prepare for reduced visibility and snow-covered secondary roads, especially in higher elevations of Geauga and Summit counties.
Officials urge residents to monitor updates as band placement becomes clearer. Warnings may follow if confidence increases in higher totals through late Monday night.
