Lakefront streets in Cleveland glisten under a gray December sky this morning as light snow begins to drift in from Lake Erie. A soft but steady coating is building on sidewalks and overpasses, turning commutes slippery from Lorain to Ashtabula and across much of northeast Ohio.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, light snow accumulations around 1 inch are expected today, with lake-enhanced bands possibly adding another inch or less later tonight. Roads may remain slick into early Monday morning, especially where gusty southwest winds create brief whiteout conditions near open fields and highways such as I-90 and Route 2.
Visibility may drop quickly at times, and temperatures hovering in the low 30s will keep moisture on the verge of refreezing after sunset. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, use headlights, and watch for black ice at intersections and bridges.
By Monday, high pressure builds briefly with calmer, partly sunny conditions. However, another system moves in Tuesday, bringing a mix of rain and snow showers before turning breezy and colder midweek. Wednesday’s highs near 42°F will precede another round of rain-to-snow changeover by evening.
Meteorologists say long-range models now show persistent lake-effect snow potential from December 11–17 across the Great Lakes — possibly impacting pre-holiday travel across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan with heavier bursts near the shoreline.
Five-Day Outlook
Today: Snow showers likely, up to 1 inch. High 35°F.
Monday: Partly sunny, high 29°F.
Tuesday: Breezy, rain/snow mix. High 38°F.
Wednesday: Showers turning to snow. High 42°F.
Thursday: Chance of snow, high 34°F.
