Cleveland, OH – Drivers across northeast and northern Ohio, along with northwest Pennsylvania, should prepare for slippery travel conditions Friday as freezing rain develops across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect Friday morning into early afternoon for large portions of Ohio due to freezing rain capable of producing a light glaze to one-tenth of an inch of ice.
Counties under advisory from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday include Geauga, Portage, Trumbull, Mahoning, and inland Ashtabula counties, affecting communities such as Chardon, Kent, Ravenna, Warren, Niles, Youngstown, Streetsboro, and Boardman. Forecasters warn that roads, bridges, and overpasses could become slick, impacting the Friday morning commute.
Farther west, a separate Winter Weather Advisory from 5 a.m. to noon Friday covers Lucas, Wood, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie counties, including Toledo, Bowling Green, Perrysburg, Fremont, Sandusky, and Port Clinton. Ice accumulation in these areas is also expected to remain under one-tenth of an inch, but even minor icing can create hazardous driving conditions.
In northwest Pennsylvania, northern Erie County, including the city of Erie, is under a Winter Weather Advisory from 10 a.m. Friday through 1 a.m. Saturday, where ice accumulations could reach up to two-tenths of an inch. Both the morning and evening commutes could be affected in that area.
The National Weather Service and state transportation officials urge motorists to delay unnecessary travel, slow down, and use caution if driving is unavoidable. Drivers should monitor road conditions through OHGO.com in Ohio and 511PA.com in Pennsylvania.
Residents are also advised to use caution when walking on sidewalks, steps, and driveways, as icy surfaces could increase the risk of falls.
