The National Weather Service (NWS) in Cleveland has detailed a forecast for Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania, signaling an end to the lake-effect snow for most regions, with a notable exception in Ashtabula. According to an area forecast discussion released by the National Weather Service, high pressure is set to build from the west Friday and into Saturday, promising a slight respite from the cold weather. However, residents of Ashtabula, Erie, and Crawford can expect lake effect snow warnings to persist tonight, with an additional 4 to 6 inches anticipated.
Elsewhere in Ohio, the grip of winter seems to be loosening. With the high pressure taking charge, Ohioans can look forward to sunshine and a gradual temperature climb into the mid-30s by Saturday afternoon. However, the calm will be brief as a warm front is forecast to cross Ohio Saturday night, potentially dragging with it a low-pressure system forecast to hit come Monday. Residents were relieved when winter headlines, except for Ashtabula, were canceled after a period of accumulating snow.
The respite slated for Ohio does not extend into the weekend for those in Northwest Pennsylvania. Remaining under a wintery thumb, a band of snow extending from Lake Huron will continue into parts of the area through Friday. Despite temperatures aloft warming, sufficient cold persists to maintain lake-induced instability, leading to predictions of brief lake-effect snow into Saturday morning for Lake, Geauga, and southern Ashtabula, as detailed by the NWS.
The NWS specifies that boating conditions on Lake Erie will remain challenging over the next several days. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect until Monday morning for the central and eastern basins of the lake, as winds of 15-25 knots are expected to continue sweeping through the region.
As Monday approaches, Ohio and its neighbors can anticipate a marked shift in weather patterns. A Clipper system is set to brush the northern and eastern Great Lakes, but most areas should remain dry over the weekend. Preparations for incoming showers are advised, as a period of steady rain is forecast for Sunday night into Monday morning following the advancement of a warm front through the area. This could potentially affect snow-laden regions across Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania with minor flooding concerns.
