CLEVELAND, Ohio — If you have errands to run or travel plans to finalize this weekend, the clock will start ticking late Saturday as snow begins to move into Northeast Ohio.
A major winter storm is expected to bring widespread accumulating snow and hazardous travel to Northeast Ohio from Saturday night through Monday morning, with the greatest impacts expected on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow is expected to spread into Northeast Ohio in stages late Saturday, with arrival times varying by county as the storm lifts northward. This will not be a lake-effect event.
Between about 6 and 10 p.m. Saturday, snow is expected to reach southern Medina County and southern Summit County, along with areas farther south, including Mansfield, Wooster and Canton.
Between about 10 p.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday, snow is forecast to spread northward into the rest of Medina and Summit counties, as well as all of Lorain and Cuyahoga counties, including Cleveland. Most of Lake and Geauga counties also are expected to see snow develop during this window.
Between about 2 and 6 a.m. Sunday, snow is expected to reach most of Ashtabula County, along with the northeastern portions of Lake and Geauga counties. Forecasters note that southwestern Ashtabula County could see snow arrive earlier, closer to the 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. timeframe.
With snow expected to overspread the region late Saturday night and intensify on Sunday, officials urge residents to complete travel and preparations before Saturday evening.
Once snow begins, it is expected to become widespread and steady overnight, setting the stage for a high-impact day on Sunday.
Sunday expected to bring the worst conditions
Forecasters say snowfall will peak in intensity during the day Sunday, when moderate to occasionally heavy snow is expected across the entire region. A widespread 8 to 11 inches of snow is expected in Northeast Ohio.
Travel conditions are anticipated to deteriorate rapidly Sunday morning and remain hazardous throughout the day as snow-covered roads and reduced visibility become widespread.
“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,” forecasters wrote in a winter storm warning covering much of Ohio.
Roadway and traffic conditions can be monitored at ohgo.com.
Snow will continue at times Sunday night before gradually tapering off from west to east late Sunday night into Monday morning. Forecasters note hazardous travel conditions are likely to persist into the Monday morning commute, even as snowfall tapers.
