Cleveland, Ohio – Snowfall totals in Northeast Ohio ran below blockbuster levels this winter, but repeated bursts off Lake Erie still delivered a steady stream of accumulation across the region.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service Eastern Region Headquarters, Cleveland recorded 43.7 inches of snow from December 2025 through February 2026. That total falls short of the city’s normal winter snowfall of 68.1 inches and lands well outside the top 25 snowiest winters since records began in 1870.
Temperatures averaged 28.9 degrees over the three-month stretch, just under the normal 29.4 degrees. While the season leaned slightly colder than average, prolonged Arctic outbreaks were limited, which capped the intensity and duration of major lake-effect events.
Even so, several systems created measurable impacts. Lake-effect bands periodically targeted Cuyahoga, Lake and Ashtabula counties, reducing visibility along Interstate 90 and Interstate 271 during heavier bursts. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport reported occasional de-icing operations during peak snowfall mornings.
Statewide, central and southern Ohio saw lighter totals compared with the snowbelt, with many communities finishing near or below seasonal averages. The late-February “Bombo Genesis” system intensified offshore and wrapped enough moisture back toward the Great Lakes to add light accumulation, nudging Cleveland’s seasonal total to 43.7 inches before winter closed out.
While not historic, winter 2025-2026 still delivered sustained snow cover and frequent plowable events across northern Ohio. Final climate summaries are expected as the National Weather Service completes seasonal data certification.
