The National Weather Service has warned that travel might become challenging due to the hazardous conditions expected during the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.
Cleveland is bracing for more wintry weather following a period of dealing with lake-effect snow. The National Weather Service in Cleveland has announced a Winter Storm Watch for multiple counties, which will be active from 4 p.m. on Wednesday to 4 a.m. on Friday.
The following counties are included in the Winter Storm Watch:
- Cuyahoga
- Lake
- Geauga
- Ashtabula
RELATED: FORECAST | See the extended weather outlook for Northeast Ohio
Areas outside of the snowbelt can also expect to see some snow due to a clipper system that will move in Wednesday into Thursday.
“Widespread coating to maybe an inch for everybody, and then the lake effect kicks in,” explains 3News Senior Meteorologist Matt Wintz.
He said preliminary totals show the lake effect snow could bring 4-6″ in spots with the potential for up to a foot where bands persist.
According to the National Weather Service, visibility may decrease to below 1/4 mile because of falling and blowing snow. This could result in difficult travel conditions, particularly affecting the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.
The National Weather Service says drivers should be prepared for rapid changes in the road conditions as lake effect impacts can vary greatly.
“If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution,” according to the National Weather Service. “Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded.”
In addition to accumulating lake effect snow, we’re also expecting gusty winds topping 45 mph.
Temperatures will also be dropping.
“We go from the 30s down into the teens waking up Thursday morning,” Wintz says while noting “it will feel like below zero for a lot of us, coldest air of the season so far.”
