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Expect falling temps, accumulating snow on Friday into Saturday

Cleveland forecast from the Power of 5 weather team

By: Katie McGraw

Posted

and last updated

CLEVELAND — The Power of 5 Weather Team is tracking a new winter storm and another round of accumulating snow is likely across our region. We will continue to tweak numbers over the next few days.

There are a few things I would like to note regarding this system:

Expect a large range of totals across our viewing area. Some areas (to the NW) will pick up less than an inch. Other cities could receive 4"+ inches.
There will likely be a sharp cut off line from the highest totals to the lowest. That line right now is around 1-71 to I-77 with the greatest totals to the east.
Many snowfall totals will likely end up around one to three inches
Remember to look at the high and low number of our ranges

Now let's take a closer look at timing, updated snowfall amounts and potential impacts. I also will discuss how long the snowy and cold weather will last...
ALERTS:
A winter weather advisory has been issued for our eastern communities until 12 pm on Saturday. Counties included are Geauga, Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Coshocton. Plan on slippery road conditions Friday evening and into Saturday morning due to accumulating snow. Slow down and use caution while traveling.

A Flood Warning has been issued for Wayne County from Thursday until 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

TIMING:
Friday will start off cold but mainly dry with only isolated and light flakes. A snow & rain mix will be likely along the lakeshore and in NW Ohio through the early afternoon and gradually spread to the south and east during mid to late afternoon and early evening. Rain will be changing over to all snow as temperatures fall.

Snow will become widespread by Friday evening and continue into early Saturday morning. The heaviest snow is expected during this time as well. Snow looks to quickly taper off and move out for most of our viewing area by early Saturday (in fact our western communities could be drying out late tonight). However, scattered lake effect snow will likely linger on Saturday and result in additional, although lighter, snowfall. Otherwise, the rest of Saturday will be blustery with frigid temperatures. Wind chills in the single digits will be likely.

Scroll through the images of Futurecast below to get an idea regarding timing and coverage.

HIGHEST TOTALS & POTENTIAL IMPACTS:
The highest totals and greatest impacts look to be in our eastern communities with much smaller totals farther to the northwest near Toledo. This storm will be hitting New York and Pennsylvania harder than Ohio. Over the last day, we have continued to shift the highest totals farther east and have lowered our totals around NE Ohio slightly.

As mentioned above, we are expecting roughly one to three inches of snow for many locations across Northeast Ohio through Saturday night.

The highest totals, four to six inches, will likely be in Northeast Ohio (snowbelt). Around one to three inches is expected in many communities east of I-71 including Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Wooster by Saturday night. Slightly higher amounts of two to five inches are likely to the south and east. Only minor accumulation is expected to the northwest and west of I-71. Less than 2 inches are expected for Sandusky, Norwalk and Willard with less than one inch as you get closer to Toledo.

With accumulating snow expected, we should all prepare for slippery, icy and snowy roads with periods of low visibility. Travel will likely be affected on Friday evening and Saturday. Plan for it to take longer to get from A to B and take it easy on the roads.

LOOKING AHEAD:
If you are ready for winter weather to end, you are in luck. Saturday will stay cold all day and even Sunday morning will still be frigid. However, it will be more seasonable by Sunday afternoon in the 40s. Temperatures continue to rise into early next week too. Highs in the 50s look likely by Monday. This means the snow will be melting quickly. Be sure to stay plugged in with the Power of 5 Weather Team. We will continue to post and discuss any forecast changes/updates.