Cleveland, OH –A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania from late Wednesday night through Friday evening, with forecasters warning that heavy lake-effect snow and strong winds could bring dangerous travel conditions across the Thanksgiving holiday period.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, areas near Lake Erie, including Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga, and northern Erie counties, could see 8 inches or more of snow, with some locations possibly exceeding one foot where the most persistent snow bands develop.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph may create blowing and drifting snow, dropping visibility to near zero at times. The most intense snowfall is expected Thursday afternoon through Friday, especially in inland areas east of Cleveland and Erie, where the lake-effect band will shift southward.
Officials warn that Thanksgiving travelers should prepare for rapidly changing conditions, including whiteouts and slick bridges. Travel along I-90, I-79, and U.S. 20 could be particularly hazardous.
Power outages are also possible due to the combination of wet, heavy snow and strong winds. Residents are urged to monitor forecasts, delay unnecessary travel, and carry emergency supplies in vehicles.
Forecasters note that the storm’s exact snowfall totals will depend on the position of lake-effect bands, which can shift quickly and produce vastly different conditions within just a few miles.
