As Clevelanders bundle up against the chill, an onslaught of wintry weather gears up to test their resolve. The National Weather Service of Cleveland has sounded the alarm: A significant winter storm is set to bring heavy snowfall, biting wind chills, and hazardous travel conditions to Northern Ohio as well as Northwest Pennsylvania, starting tonight and continuing through Monday. According to an area forecast discussion, Lucas and Wood Counties have moved to a more critical Winter Storm Warning, anticipating an excess of 6 inches of snow in the upcoming tempest.
The anticipated storm, a product of meteorological forces at play far above, will draw upon an active southern jet stream and is expected to phase with another system originating from the Rockies – the timing, however, has progressed more slowly than initially thought, while snow in Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania isn't forecasted to begin until after 1 AM on Sunday. Dipping temperatures are also on the horizon, with a cold snap next week predicted to bring sub-zero air temperatures on Monday and Thursday night. Daily highs are projected to barely scrape past the low to mid-teens, compounding the winter spectacle.
"The major winter storm remains on track to impact all of northern Ohio and NW PA tonight into Monday, bringing widespread snow, sub-zero wind chills, and treacherous travel," the National Weather Service Cleveland outlined in a key message. There's a fair warning: post-storm, Monday night into Tuesday morning will be particularly harsh, with temperatures plummeting well below zero and wind chills dropping to a range of -15 to -20 degrees, posing a real danger for those exposed to the cold. With a prolonged bout of severe chill, the NWS advises that risks associated with cold exposure and infrastructure damage will take a hike all through the week.
Beyond the immediate storm, the cold snap is anticipated to persist, with cold exposure risks and potential harm to infrastructure front of mind. Local infrastructure, not used to such prolonged bouts of arctic air – a phenomenon last significantly seen back in early 2018 – is bracing for the impact. Moreover, light snow from passing systems is expected to intermittently blanket the region, adding inches here and there, though high-confidence details remain scant. Eyes are also on possible significant clipper systems due Tuesday night into Thursday. On the maritime front, Lake Erie's increasing ice coverage is a plot of its own in this drama, with southwest winds promising to test the integrity and placement of the lake's icy facade on Tuesday.
Aviation impacts are also slated, as visibility is expected to plummet contemporaneously with the snow's commencement late tonight, abundant snow will maintain its grip through late Sunday night, finally relenting from west to east as Monday progresses.
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