Northeast Ohio is bracing for a winter storm that could bring more than 15 inches of snow to parts of the snow belt, according to the National Weather Service.
The Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday night for most of the region, including Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Summit and Trumbull counties. The warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Wednesday.
It already was snowing in some areas Monday night. Forecasters say remaining rain is expected to transition to snow by 2 a.m. Tuesday as a low pressure system moves in over the Great Lakes. The snow will be heavy and wet, and wind gusts will reach about 35 mph. The snow is expected to slow down in most areas by Tuesday afternoon, but lake-effect snow could continue in the snow belt.
By the time it’s done, 6 to 15 inches could be on the ground, with the larger amounts in the elevated regions of the snow belt in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties. The secondary snow belt, which includes parts of Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage and Trumbull counties, could get a foot of snow.
Winter weather related Warnings, Watches and Advisories are issued by your local National Weather Service office. Each office knows the local area and will issue Warnings, Watches or Advisories based on local criteria. For example, the amount of snow that triggers a “Winter Storm Warning” in the Northern Plains is typically much higher than the amount needed to trigger a “Winter Storm Warning” in the Southeast.
