Lake-effect snow warnings were issued for millions of people in three states on Friday.
Incoming heavy snow prompted National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists to issue the warnings, as up to 14 inches could fall this weekend. NWS offices in Cleveland, Buffalo and State College, Pennsylvania, issued the warnings. The snow will hit in bursts, NWS meteorologist Richard Garuckas told Newsweek.
“Motorists will need to be prepared for conditions to be clear, and then all of a sudden you are in whiteout conditions,” Garuckas said.
Lake-Effect Snow Warning Hits Cleveland: What to Know
More than 1 million people in the Cleveland forecast region face the incoming threats. The warning will go into effect at 7 a.m. local time on Saturday and remain in place through Monday morning. Another warning will go into effect at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Impacted cities include Cleveland, Ashtabula, Chardon, Middlefield, South Russell, Orwell and others.
What Is a Lake-Effect Snow Warning?
Lake-effect snow is a common occurrence across the Great Lakes region, arriving when cold air—typically from Canada—moves across the warm waters of the lakes, prompting air to rise and form clouds that unleash several inches of snow per hour.
Lake-effect season is typically at its peak from mid-November until the lake ices over in mid-January, Garuckas told Newsweek. However, some lake-effect snow can still occur after mid-January.
How Much Snow Is Expected in Ohio?
Up to 14 inches of snow could fall in Ohio throughout the duration of the warning. However, the greatest accumulations will occur across state lines, in Erie County, Pennsylvania.
“Total accumulations near Lake Erie, including the city of Erie, are expected to be in the 6 to 10 inch range,” NWS Cleveland said in the warning.
For the warning that includes Cleveland, between 5 and 10 inches of snow is expected.
“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,” NWS Cleveland said in the warning. “The Ohio Department of Transportation and Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission strongly encourage motorists to heed all travel restrictions and delay unnecessary travel.”
Lake-Effect Snow Warning in New York
The NWS office in Buffalo issued similar warnings for hundreds of thousands of people within its forecast region. The warning goes into effect at 7 a.m. Saturday morning and will persist for 48 hours.
“Heavy lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations 8 to 12 inches in the most persistent lake snows,” NWS Buffalo said in the warning. “Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.”
Lake-Effect Snow Warning in Pennsylvania
NWS meteorologists at the State College, Pennsylvania, office also issued a lake effect snow warning, with between 4 and 8 inches of snow expected to fall in McKean and Warren counties. All travel should be delayed, and people are encouraged to use “extreme” caution if they must travel.
