ALERT: Cold Temperatures and Heavy Lake-Effect Snow Forecast

Lake-effect snow showers will dump over a foot of snowfall in the snowbelt this weekend.

CLEVELAND — Colder air is on the way, bringing with it the potential for lake effect snow starting tonight. This cold snap and the accompanying lake effect snow are expected to continue through the weekend and well into the next week. As a result, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for northeastern Cuyahoga County, where accumulations of 4-6 inches are forecasted through the weekend. Additionally, Lake Effect Snow Warnings have been issued for Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties, where significant snowfall is expected. In some areas, where heavy snow bands persist, snow totals could reach 1 to 2 feet, with the possibility of even higher amounts!

Once the lake-effect snow machine turns on, it doesn’t show signs of backing off. Lake-effect snow potential will continue through the weekend and possibly into early next week.

Travelling in the snowbelt east of Cleveland will not be recommended starting Friday and possibly going all the way through next week — especially that favored Cleveland-to Erie-to Buffalo route. This will all depend on exactly how the winds set up. The cold air and at least some lake effect is guaranteed. The question will be exactly where the highest totals will be and if we get a wind shift to push any lake effect towards the secondary snow belt or beyond.

Many areas outside of the snow belt will stay rather quiet by comparison. Everyone will have to deal with cold temperatures and breezy winds for the rest of the week and most of next. Highs will struggle in the upper 20s and 30s. Even if you’re not in a high impact snow area, you’ll still want to have the winter gear handy to keep warm.

3-DAY FORECAST

TONIGHT: Lake effect snow developing. Upper 20s

FRIDAY: Widespread lake effect snow early, heavy lake snow to the east. Colder & breezy. Low 30s

SATURDAY: More Lake effect snow, especially east of Cleveland. Cold and breezy. Stuck in the 20s

SUNDAY: More potential for lake effect snow. Staying cold and breezy. Near 30

Here are some quick weather resources you can use:

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Get more weather from the 3News Weather team of Betsy Kling (@betsykling), Matt Wintz (@WintzWeather), Anthony Copeland (@WeatherManAC), and Jessica Van Meter (@jessicav_wx)