Cleveland, OH – The first true December snowstorm of the season is setting up across northeast Ohio as cold air sweeps over Lake Erie. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from midnight through 7 p.m. Tuesday, with 2 to 5 inches of accumulation expected — and locally higher totals in lake-effect bands.
The National Weather Service in Cleveland says the most intense snow will fall between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. Tuesday, when commuters may face low visibility and slippery conditions on major routes like I-90, I-71, and I-480. Winds from the north will enhance lake-effect snow through the morning, tapering to scattered flurries by afternoon.
Drivers should expect snow-covered roads and reduced traction, especially on bridges and ramps. The Ohio Department of Transportation advises reducing speeds and giving plows extra space. With temperatures near 28°F, salt treatments may take time to work, and flash freezing could occur as wet pavement ices up early.
Tuesday afternoon brings some improvement, though lingering snow showers may persist along the lakeshore. By Wednesday, skies will briefly clear before another round of snow showers returns late in the week, ushering in a colder, windier pattern heading into next weekend.
5-Day Outlook (Cleveland, OH):
- Tuesday: Snow likely, high 36°F.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, high 36°F.
- Thursday: Chance of snow showers, high 30°F.
- Friday: Partly sunny, high 32°F.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, high 36°F.
