Residents in Cleveland and surrounding areas are advised to bundle up and stay vigilant as the National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Watch for Erie and Crawford Counties in Pennsylvania, with wind chills potentially plummeting to a bone-chilling -20F to -30F. The watch will last from the late hours of Friday through noon on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service Cleveland (NWS Cleveland). Furthermore, the weather outlook for the entire Cleveland region includes widespread snow that's expected to be heavy at times, beginning tonight and stretching into Friday evening.
In addition to the extreme cold, residents should also prepare for potentially hazardous travel conditions. "Widespread sub-zero minimum wind chills are still forecast this Saturday and Sunday, respectively," the NWS Cleveland reported. This weekend is also forecast to see some periods of snow, compounded by gusty northwesterly winds on Friday, which may lead to areas of blowing snow. Despite the inclement weather expected, some relief is on the horizon, with temperatures set to approach normal readings by next Tuesday and Wednesday, as reported by NWS Cleveland.
The NWS Cleveland discussion details specific concerns, such as patchy to areas of freezing fog this morning, which may require a Freezing Fog Advisory if the situation intensifies. The advisory is especially pertinent given that air and surface temperatures are well below freezing point in the foggy areas. Additionally, travelers should be on the lookout for the snow squalls that are a concern during the passage of the Arctic front on Friday evening. NWS Cleveland warns that gusty winds are expected post cold front passages, and a Wind Advisory may have to be issued if trends persist in new NWP model guidance.
For those with air travel plans, the aviation forecast from NWS Cleveland indicates possible disruption. Some terminals may face low stratus clouds, with visibility potentially dropping to IFR levels or worsening around sunrise, though conditions should improve post-15Z. Notably, an approaching Alberta clipper system is expected to bring snow starting around 10Z Friday to all terminals, with accompanying northwest wind gusts of 30-35 knots possible from Friday evening through Saturday morning. With the likelihood of non-VFR conditions during this time, travelers are encouraged to check for updates and potential delays.
The marine outlook remains stable, with Lake Erie's ice cover not expected to shift significantly any time soon. Despite this, an Alberta Clipper system's impending impact on Friday could cause northwesterly winds to approach gale force, potentially impacting shoreline ice compaction. NWS Cleveland stresses the importance of monitoring these conditions, especially for those involved in maritime activities.
.jpg){kind=link}