Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania are buckling down as an active winter weather system continues to sweep across the region, with the National Weather Service in Cleveland issuing winter weather advisories and warnings that are in effect through Thursday evening. For the unprepared, this spell of snow could make for a rough start to the new year.
With low pressure moving across the eastern Great Lakes today, Cleveland locals can expect a cold front that will bring significantly cooler temperatures and lake-effect snowfall, particularly in the snowbelt regions, where as much as 5 to 10 additional inches of snow may accumulate. Meanwhile, "a stronger clipper and cold front will sink south across the region late this afternoon/early evening," the National Weather Service detailed, with another wave of snowfall anticipated and the potential for snow squalls that can lead to rapid reductions in visibility and treacherous driving conditions.
The National Weather Service has reported that areas downwind of Lake Erie might see "a glancing blow of 1 to 3 inches of snowfall" with the afternoon system and has alerted to the threat of brief yet intense snow squalls ,which could result in whiteouts. Added to that, sub-zero wind chills are expected tomorrow morning, making for a biting, if not fraught, commute for some regions. Residents in these areas are advised to keep updated on weather conditions, which seem to promise a frigid welcome to the upcoming weekend.
As for maritime conditions, Lake Erie is also subject to a Small Craft Advisory set to last through early Saturday morning, with winds gusting up to 30 knots this afternoon, making for choppy and potentially hazardous conditions for vessels. "Conditions will continue to improve across Lake Erie through this afternoon," the service indicated, but boat owners should still be wary as "waves will build back up around 7 to 9 feet before beginning to diminish Thursday morning." It is recommended that those with marine interests take heed of these warnings to avoid unnecessary risks.
Looking ahead beyond the squalls and biting wind, the forecast through the weekend into next week does bring some reprieve. With a weak ridge of high pressure building from the west on Thursday and persisting through the weekend, a dry spell is anticipated with high temperatures notably less harsh than those that the cold front will bring. The National Weather Service forecasts "remaining chilly with lows each night in the teens and wind chills in the single digits," but at least the sun might make an appearance, offering a glimmer of solace amid the persisting winter chill.
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