If you thought the shoveling was over after Thursday's mess, I’ve got some bad news. Honestly, Northeast Ohio just can’t catch a break this week. We just finished digging out from a massive lake-effect event that dumped 15 inches in parts of the snowbelt, and now the maps are turning blue again. A new snow storm expected Friday and Saturday in Northeast Ohio is already putting road crews back on high alert.
It's not a "Snowmageddon" situation, but it’s definitely annoying.
The National Weather Service in Cleveland is tracking a series of fast-moving "clippers" and weak low-pressure systems. These aren't the slow, heavy monsters that bury your house in one night. Instead, they are more like a persistent headache. We're looking at a scenario where the snow just won't stop falling for about 48 hours, even if it’s light.
The Friday morning commute might be a trap
Don't let the "slight reprieve" Friday morning fool you. Temperatures are going to hover in the teens and low 20s. That's cold. Really cold. Because of that, any moisture that hits the pavement is going to stick instantly.
A warm front is expected to push through Friday afternoon. Usually, "warm" sounds nice, right? Not here. It's just going to bring scattered snow showers that could turn into a messy mix. Meteorologists like Drew Montreuil are pointing out that while accumulations might stay small—think a coating to maybe two inches by Friday night—the timing is the real kicker.
Visibility will drop right as everyone is trying to head home for the weekend.
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Why the "Total Accumulation" numbers are misleading
You'll see people on Facebook posting graphics saying "3 inches" or "6 inches." Basically, it’s complicated. Northeast Ohio has these weird micro-climates. If you’re in the "primary snowbelt"—places like Chardon, Mentor, or northern Geauga County—you’re likely to see more because the lake is still wide open and relatively warm.
For the rest of us in Akron, Canton, or the west side of Cleveland, it's going to be more of a steady, light accumulation. Here is how it's looking to break down:
- Friday Afternoon: Light snow starts. A coating to an inch is likely.
- Friday Night: Temperatures stay near 30°F. The snow gets "wetter" and heavier.
- Saturday Morning: Another wave moves in. This is when we could see an additional 1-3 inches.
- Saturday Night: Lake effect kicks back in as the wind shifts. This is where the snowbelt gets hammered again.
Driving on Saturday: Is it worth it?
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) already had nearly 950 crews out on Thursday. They are tired. We’re all tired. But they’ll be back at it. The problem with this new snow storm expected Friday and Saturday in Northeast Ohio is that it’s following a rain-to-snow transition from earlier in the week.
Black ice is a huge concern.
When you have temperatures swinging from 36°F on Saturday afternoon down to the low 20s or even teens by Saturday night, the roads turn into skating rinks. It doesn't matter if you have a massive SUV or a tiny sedan; ice doesn't care. If you don't have to be out on Saturday evening, just stay home and watch a movie.
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Erie County recently hit a Level 3 Snow Emergency during the last wave. While we might not see that everywhere this weekend, counties like Lorain, Medina, and Summit are likely to stay at a Level 1 or Level 2. That means only essential travel.
The Arctic air waiting in the wings
The snow is only half the story. The real danger starts Sunday and Monday. Behind this Friday/Saturday system is a massive plunge of Arctic air. We are talking about wind chills dropping to near or below zero.
If the snow doesn't get cleared by Saturday night, it’s going to freeze into solid blocks by Sunday morning.
What you should actually do right now
Forget the "bread and milk" panic. You probably already have that. Instead, focus on the logistics of a multi-day event.
First, check your salt supply. Since temperatures are dropping so fast Saturday night, you need to get your driveway clear and salted before the sun goes down. Once it hits 15 degrees, most cheap rock salt stops working anyway.
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Second, check your tires. Seriously. If you were sliding around on Wednesday or Thursday, Friday’s light dusting will be just as dangerous.
Third, keep an eye on OHGO.com. It’s the best way to see the real-time speeds on I-90 and I-71. If you see the speeds dropping to 40 mph, it means the squalls have moved in and visibility is gone.
Key takeaway for the weekend:
- Friday: Watch out for slick spots during the evening rush.
- Saturday: Expect steady snow and tricky side streets.
- Sunday: The "Big Freeze" starts. Get the shoveling done before then.
The new snow storm expected Friday and Saturday in Northeast Ohio isn't going to set any records for depth, but it’s the consistency and the following cold that will bite you. Take it slow, keep the gas tank at least half full, and maybe finally get around to finding that ice scraper you lost under the seat.
Keep your local weather alerts on. The lake is unpredictable, and these small systems can easily "over-perform" if a band of lake effect decides to sit over your house for three hours.
Check your local county sheriff's social media pages for travel level updates before you head out Saturday morning. If they say stay off the roads, they mean it—it's for the plow drivers' sake as much as yours.