The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued updates on weather conditions affecting northeastern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania, including a detailed forecast for the implications of a large upper-level trough over the East Coast. According to their latest Area Forecast Discussion, the trough will persist through the evening, followed by a weak ridge building into the region late Tuesday and a subsequent cold front on Wednesday evening. High pressure is then expected to build into the region on Thursday, with low pressure moving in late in the weekend.
The near-term forecast, as outlined by the National Weather Service, brings attention to lake effect snow that continues to impact the area this morning. There have been stronger bands across Geauga County and Erie/Crawford Counties in Pennsylvania dropping visibilities to around a mile to two miles, the report details. The highest snow accumulations in Ohio are predicted for Geauga County with an expected 2-4 inches, while northwest Pennsylvania could see additional totals between 5-8 inches. As this weather element progresses, there may be an enhanced snow band, which could lead to potentially heavier snowfall. The office will be monitoring the situation closely, particularly for the need to upgrade weather advisories in parts of the region.
Weather conditions are slated to change markedly as we head into Wednesday. As the aforementioned ridge builds in from the southwest, it will shift the lake effect bands offshore by Wednesday morning, according to NWS Cleveland's forecast. Another low-pressure system and shortwave feature are anticipated to arrive midday Wednesday, bringing back onshore lake effect bands and introducing a mix of rain and snow. The forecast also predicts a transitional recovery in temperatures, with highs progressing to mid-40s on Wednesday and morning lows in the upper 20s.
The short-term outlook involves a low-pressure system bound to impact the area Wednesday night, dragging a cold front across the territory. Lake effect rain showers are expected to persist through Thursday morning due to lingering moisture and convergence in the aforementioned regions. With the development of a ridge and movement of a surface high to the south, drier conditions are anticipated for Thursday and Friday, along with mild temperature increases. The forecast predicts that temperatures will begin to warm as well, with highs climbing into the upper 40s and low 50s by Friday, and overnight lows also working their way to more comfortable levels above freezing for the western counties.
Looking ahead to the weekend, calm weather is predicted to sustain through Saturday with high pressure shifting eastward. However, by Sunday, a deepening upper-level trough over central Canada is expected to precipitate a return of unsettled conditions. A low-pressure system, tagging along with the upper trough, is set to introduce a cold front across the region on Sunday, which would mean widespread rain. Temperatures in the long term are forecast to warm above average before a post-cold front cooldown to around average levels.
