CLEVELAND — Lake effect snow is continuing in bands Friday, with the heaviest snowfall in the primary snowbelt. On Friday morning, a Lake Effect Snow warning was issued for Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties until 7 a.m. Saturday.
Lake effect snow is coming in three bands, with the heaviest pushing through Lake and Ashtabula counties. Some spots in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties could see up to 12 inches while others will remain at mostly 6 inches.
MORE SNOW: At 6:25 pm on Friday, a band of heavy lake effect snow is falling from Cleveland to southern Geauga County. Visibility is very low and the roads can quickly become snow covered and slick!! pic.twitter.com/jldLxgHv6K
— Katie McGraw (@KatieMcGrawx) January 7, 2022
According to NWS Cleveland, Geauga County got hit the hardest with 9 inches of snow.
The first big lake effect event of the season is slowly winding down tonight! Highest totals were observed in Geauga Co. with 9 inches & Erie Co. PA with 12 inches of snow on the ground this evening. The full report of snow totals can be found here -> https://t.co/tqlQmMjfLs
— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) January 8, 2022
Advisories
Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties are under a Lake Effect Snow Warning until 7 a.m. Saturday. These counties were originally under Winter Weather Advisories, but they were upgraded to warnings at about 10 a.m. Friday.
According to the NWS, Cuyahoga and Geauga counties could see 3 to 6 more inches of snow accumulate, bringing snow totals to 6 to 12 inches in the most-persistent snow areas. Lake County may receive 1 to 4 more inches, bringing totals to 5 to 9 inches.
Motorists should also plan on slippery, hazardous road conditions that could impact the Friday evening commute.
Ashtabula County is under a Winter Advisory from 1 a.m. Friday until 1 a.m. Saturday.
Watch the video below to see a view of snow in downtown Willoughby.
School closings and delays
More than a dozen schools are closed to delayed due to winter weather. Schools mainly in Ashtabula and Tuscarawas counties are closed Friday. See the full list here.
Road conditions
A spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Transportation said the worst driving conditions were being reported in Lake and Northern Geauga counties.
The ODOT said it has 270 plows out on the roads across the state but most are in the News 5 viewing area.
8PM: There are 270 plows out treating and plowing state and US routes outside municipalities and interstates, except the Ohio Turnpike. Most are in NE Ohio, like this one on SR 528 in Geauga County, where lake effect snow persists. Please give them room to work. #ODOTwinter pic.twitter.com/1Hr23Bjb41
— Ohio Dept of Transportation (@ODOT_Statewide) January 8, 2022
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