CLEVELAND — News 5's meteorologists have been preparing you for rough conditions all week, and that time has arrived. This morning, roads were treacherous thanks to cold temps, high winds, and some snow. And we're not done yet.
Forecast
Behind the Arctic Front, strong northwest winds will turn on the Lake Erie snow machine. Areas downwind of Lake Erie could see an additional 2-6 inches where squalls persist during the day.
The squalls will be quasi-stationary over the Lake Snow Warned area through the morning hours. They will become more transient during the afternoon, with snow bands shifting farther south and west toward Summit, Portage, Trumbull, Mahoning, Lorain, and Medina counties.
Bursts of snow are possible across a wider area during the day today. Winds will gust above 40 mph as well, keeping our wind chills in the single digits and teens.
Travel will be slow in squalls as visibility lowers and roads become snow-covered and slippery.
Highs today reach to near 30 degrees.
Trent Magill breaks it down:
The latest
Weekend Anchor Tessa DiTirro gave an update in Geauga County Thursday evening.
The weather this morning
Reporter Mike Holden was live on Good Morning Cleveland from Beachwood. He described the weather as feeling like standing in a snow globe while someone was violently shaking it with a leaf blower in your face.
Here's a look at whiteout conditions in Beachwood and on I-271 near Chagrin Friday morning.
Warnings
A Lake Effect Snow Warning has been issued for Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, Summit, Portage and Trumbull counties through 4 a.m. Friday.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Lorain, Medina, and Mahoning counties through 4 a.m. Friday.
Level 3
A Level 3 road emergency has been issued for Ashtabula County.
Snow Emergency classifications, according to the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness:
LEVEL 1: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously.
LEVEL 2: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be very icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work. Motorists should use extreme caution.
LEVEL 3: All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be driving during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel or a personal emergency exists. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roads may subject themselves to arrest.
Parking Bans
The following cities have issued parking bans:
- Newburgh Heights: Residents should move their vehicles from the Village streets to allow the Service Department the opportunity to clear the streets.
- Shaker Heights: Because snow exceeds two inches, the city's snow parking ban is in effect, and there is no parking on residential streets.
- Macedonia: In effect for all streets until noon Friday.
THUNDERSNOW
Do you want to hear it? Sure you do.
Traffic Lights
🚨 We have reports there are many traffic lights out in the Downtown area.
— Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) December 5, 2024
➡️Treat intersections as 4-four way stop.🛑
➡️Notifications have been made, crews are working to restore power, we will update as soon as possible. 🚦❄️🚔
School Closings
School closings continue to roll in. Click here to see if your school is closed.
Power outages
Visit our Power Outage page to find links to see current power outages in Northeast Ohio and to report a power outage.
I-90
Speed limits have been reduced to 50 mph in Lake County due to snowfall.
How you can get help from cities, counties, and even ODOT when your property is damaged
The snow belt has packed a powerful punch in more ways than one.
As snowplows clear the streets, all that snow gets thrown to the side and sometimes slams into mailboxes.
RELATED: When snowplows strike!
However, there are ways you can get some assistance with needed repairs.
People in Painesville Township can fill out forms off its website for mailbox repair and/or to get help putting up a snow barrier for their boxes.
In the city of Ashtabula, you can call Public Works at 440-993-7036, and they’ll help with damages caused by city plows. In Ashtabula County, call the County Highway Department at 440-576-3707, which says it will do standard replacements for what its plows damaged. ODOT told us you can fill out a damage report on its site in the same area where pothole damage claims are made; just select the damage to mailbox section.
Send us photos, videos, and reports of the weather
Please stay safe - do not put yourself in danger to get a photo or video of severe weather. You can email photos and short videos to 5pics@wews.com, and email storm reports and information to newsdesk@wews.com.
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