CLEVELAND — A developing winter storm will bring snow and wind this week to most of Northeast Ohio. Winter comes back. We haven't had much so far, but we're nowhere near finished. Cleveland is near 50% seasonal averages. That changes this week.
Plan on rain changing to snow for areas along and northwest of I-71 Wednesday morning. That changeover is less definite along I-71. The I-71 corridor will be changing back and forth from rain to snow until after noon. Areas southeast of I-71 should stay all rain until later in the day.
The rain/snow line will make all the difference tomorrow into Thursday morning for where this will be an impactful morning commute or a slight inconvenience. We have had a lot of this, this winter. Almost all these events have been borderline.#Cleveland #Weather #WEWS #Ohwx pic.twitter.com/WkrsRkgJKd
— Bryan Shaw (@WxShaw) February 25, 2020
On Tuesday afternoon, Winter Storm Watches were issued by the National Weather Service for Ashtabula, Erie, Geauga and Lake counties, in effect from 1 a.m. Thursday until 6 p.m. Saturday.
The watches warn of heavy snow possible, with total accumulations of 5 to 8 inches, possibly higher. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph, the watches state, from late Wednesday night through Saturday afternoon.
The NWS warns that travel could be very difficult, as the conditions could impact the morning or evening community. Gusty winds will cause wind chill temperatures in the single digits Wednesday night through Saturday morning.
Long story short, this is not an equal opportunity snow maker.
Lake Effect snow Thursday through Saturday is not included in the forecast model below.
The model below is essentially Wednesday night through Thursday morning.
The Lake Effect snow that develops in this storm's wake will add several more inches in the snow belt. Where squalls persist, we'll be breaking out the snow blowers.
Stay with the latest forecasts and snow totals as the storm approaches. Don't forget to send reports after the storm leaves either!
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