- A Winter Storm Watch for Northeast Ohio goes into effect from 7am Wednesday morning through 7am Thursday morning. A WATCH means that there is a high likely hood for severe winter weather to affect the watch area within the next 48 hours. If and when the WATCH is upgraded to a WARNING, that would signal that severe winter weather is imminent.
A strong low pressure system will move northeast into the Ohio valley and Lower Great Lakes on Wednesday, setting the stage for a major snow event for portions of the state.
As the low travels up to near the Ohio River Wednesday morning, a band of heavy snow will move north to near Lake Erie. This snow band will be capable of dumping anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow area-wide during the day Wednesday. If the storm is a direct hit, some parts of Northern Ohio could easily see 8-12″ or more by noon Thursday. Right now, it appears the storm will be at its worst for a 12 hour period from around noon Wednesday through midnight Thursday. A secondary low pressure is forecast to form along the East Coast Thursday afternoon. This low will begin to “steal” energy from our winter storm. This should help shut off the snow quickly from west to east Wednesday night. Slightly warmer air will try to move northward into our area during the day as well. That means some communities, especially along and south of US Rt. 224, could see some sleet or freezing rain mixing in during the afternoon. That would decrease snow totals a bit for those areas from Wooster to Mansfield to Canton to Youngstown. If colder air can stay entrenched farther south, as our current computer forecasts are suggesting, precipitation will stay all snow through out the entire viewing area.
Snowfall will be heavy at times Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night and winds will gust up to near 40 mph. Blowing and drifting of snow could be a problem for drivers after the holidays. Visibilites will be reduced to near zero at times. Not to mention, the sleet and freezing rain that is forecast to move into certain areas.
Temperatures will be in the mid 30s Wednesday and will drop into the low to mid 20s by Wednesday night. Highs Thursday will only be in the upper 20s.
Visability could be reduced to near zero at times from the combination of falling and blowing snow Wednesday. Travel plans may need to be modified to avoid this severe weather situation.
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article courtesy of Newsnet5.com
