Cleveland, OH – A powerful lake-effect snow event is impacting northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania today, with the National Weather Service issuing Lake Effect Snow Warnings for multiple counties where heavy snowfall, whiteout conditions, and hazardous Thanksgiving travel are expected through Friday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, the heaviest snow bands are producing 1 to 2 inches per hour, with gusts up to 40 mph reducing visibility to near zero at times. The warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. Friday for Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and inland Ashtabula Counties, where 3 to 12 inches of additional snow are forecast. The highest totals are expected across the elevated terrain east of Cleveland and south of Lake Erie.
A separate Lake Effect Snow Warning remains in effect until 1 a.m. Saturday for Southern Erie and Crawford Counties in Pennsylvania, where an additional 6 to 15 inches is possible. NWS forecasters say the most persistent and intense band set up south of I-90 Thursday afternoon, and will push farther into Crawford County tonight. Rapid visibility drops, slick roads, and life-threatening whiteout bursts are likely within the core of the band.
The hazardous conditions are expected to severely impact Thanksgiving holiday travel, especially along I-90, I-79, Route 322, Route 6, and other rural corridors. Drivers in both states are urged to delay travel if possible. Transportation officials in Ohio and Pennsylvania strongly encourage motorists to check updated road conditions via OHGO and 511PA.
Forecasters emphasize that lake-effect snow can vary dramatically over short distances, with heavy snow in one area and dry pavement a few miles away. Conditions will improve gradually late Friday night into early Saturday.
