Cleveland, Ohio – Drivers across northern and eastern Ohio should prepare for deteriorating road conditions as lake-effect snow intensifies Wednesday afternoon and continues through Thursday morning. The heaviest impacts are expected during the Wednesday evening commute, with snow-covered highways, reduced visibility, and blowing snow creating difficult travel across much of the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, Winter Weather Advisories are in effect from Wednesday afternoon through 7 a.m. Thursday for a wide swath of northeast Ohio. Cleveland and Cuyahoga County remain under an advisory through Thursday morning, with additional snowfall totals of 6 to 10 inches expected. Snowfall rates could reach 1 inch per hour at times Wednesday evening as bands intensify off Lake Erie.
Surrounding counties including Lorain, Medina, Wayne, Stark, Mahoning, Summit, Portage, and Trumbull are expected to see 3 to 6 inches of snow, with winds gusting up to 35 mph. Blowing and drifting snow could further reduce visibility, especially on east-west roadways such as I-90, I-480, I-271, and the Ohio Turnpike.
The Ohio Department of Transportation urges motorists to slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and delay unnecessary travel if possible. Road conditions can be checked at ohgo.com. Snow and travel hazards are expected to persist into early Thursday, and additional advisories or updates may be issued as lake-effect bands shift.
