Snowy mix to hit NE Ohio, causing travel delays Wednesday

Northeast Ohio Braces for a Day of Shifting Winter Weather

Cleveland, Ohio — The next 24 hours in Northeast Ohio are expected to bring a mix of challenging winter weather conditions, starting late Tuesday night and continuing into Wednesday. This period will feature a series of changing precipitation types, including wet snow, rain, and even a return to snow just in time for the evening commute.

Overnight Snowfall and Morning Commute Delays

After a relatively quiet Tuesday evening, precipitation is expected to move back into the region from the west during the late night hours. Temperatures will remain in the upper 20s and lower 30s inland, with slightly warmer conditions along the lakeshore. This temperature range will allow much of the initial snowfall to fall as wet snow, particularly in higher elevations east and southeast of Cleveland.

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a special weather statement, predicting 2 to 3 inches of wet snow in areas such as eastern Cuyahoga, northern Summit, southern Lake, Geauga, northern Portage, inland Ashtabula, and northern Trumbull counties. In lower-lying areas, including Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, and the lakeshore, accumulation may be less than 2 inches, but still enough to make roads slick.

Between roughly 3 a.m. and 11 a.m., forecasters expect a three- to six-hour window of moderate to occasionally heavy snowfall due to stronger lift moving through the region.

Transition to Rain by Midday

As a warm front moves across the area, temperatures will rise into the upper 30s to near 40 degrees by late Wednesday morning. This increase will cause the wet snow to transition into rain. Showers are expected to continue off and on throughout the early afternoon. While not heavy, these showers will keep roads wet and may help compact or melt earlier snowfall.

Some higher terrain areas east of Cleveland might experience a mix of snow and rain for a little longer.

Windy Conditions Throughout the Day

Winds will also play a significant role in the weather pattern. Southwest gusts of 35 to 45 mph are expected throughout the day, adding to the challenges of travel and potentially creating hazardous conditions.

Return to Snow for the Evening Commute

A strong cold front will sweep through late Wednesday afternoon and evening, causing temperatures to drop quickly and turning rain back into wet snow. Most areas will see under an inch of accumulation from this snowfall, but the timing—combined with falling temperatures—could lead to slick or icy spots for the evening commute.

Scattered lake-enhanced snow showers may linger into Wednesday night, mainly in the snowbelt regions. Overnight lows are expected to fall into the lower to mid-20s.

Lake-Effect Snow Continues Into Thursday

Colder air moving across Lake Erie will keep snow showers active on Thursday, especially in the primary snowbelt east of Cleveland. Although widespread significant accumulation isn’t expected, periodic bursts could reduce visibility and create slick spots on roads.

Highs on Thursday will reach the mid-20s to around 30 degrees.

Active Weather Pattern Through the Weekend

The active weather pattern is expected to continue into the weekend. A weak clipper system may bring a light round of snow on Friday, mainly in the southwestern parts of the region. Another push of colder air is anticipated for the weekend, with highs in the 20s and lows in the teens. Occasional lake-effect snow is possible downwind of the lake, keeping the region on alert for further changes.