THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE:
After a brief break from the wintry weather over the last few days, the snow, bitterly cold temperatures, and strong winds are returning to Northeast Ohio!
This snow does not look nearly as intense as the last two weeks, but the burst of snow Wednesday evening created icy and very slick roads. This is still a possibility this morning and into this afternoon.
UPGRADED AND EXPANDED ALERTS: The National Weather Service made updates early Thursday morning due to the fact lake effect snow will be lingering longer and resulting in higher totals.
- All alerts have been extended until Friday morning as lake-effect snow is expected to linger longer.
- Ashtabula County: Upgraded to Lake Effect Snow Warning.
- Geauga County: Winter Weather Advisory added.
The highest snowfall totals will be in Ashtabula, Lake, and Geauga counties, and it will climb even more into Northwest Pennslyvania.
TIMING: The worst of the snow, area-wide, was expected Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, thanks to a cold front that slid through the area.
That burst of heavy snow caused icy and dicey roads Wednesday night. Slick spots will still be an issue for the morning commute.
Throughout this morning, the threat of lake-induced snow will return. Lake-effect snow will continue until tonight/early on Friday.
Scroll through the images below of Futurecast to get an idea about the timing and placement of snow squalls and lake-effect snow.
UPDATED TOTALS: Snowfall totals go up the farther east you live.
The highest totals will be in northern and eastern Ashtabula County, where six to 10 inches will be possible.
In eastern and southern Lake County and northern Geauga County, two to six inches are possible.
The numbers climb even more (six to more than 12 inches) in Erie County, PA, and shrink considerably the farther south and west you live.
For example, one to three inches is expected across southern Ashtabula County and western Lake County. The rest of Northeast Ohio should see less than one inch of snow. You may even get some cold sunshine throughout the day on Thursday!
IMPACTS: Plan on slippery road conditions with slower travel all day, especially on anything untreated.
Gusty westerly winds are also expected and could bring down tree branches and cause lowered road visibility due to blowing snow. Gusts over 35 mph will be possible. Winds will be much calmer by Friday.
It is already much cooler outside compared to Wednesday morning, but the Arctic front dropped temperatures even more for today. Afternoon temperatures are expected to barely crack 20 degrees.
Wind chills will be in the low single digits all day long. Brrr! Stay safe and warm.
Warming Centers: Warming centers will be open in Canton from Wednesday to Thursday due to the overnight drop in temperature.
The city released a list of places that will provide warmth for those in need:
- Crossroads United Methodist Church: 120 Cleveland Ave. SW, 44702. Hours of operation: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. to Thursday, Dec. 12, 8 a.m. Food and water will be available. Guests will enter through the Cleveland Ave. entrance.
- Refuge of Hope: 715 Second St. NE, 44704. Hours of operation: Thursday, Dec. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Guests must enter through door #4. Food and water will be available.
According to the city, SARTA will provide transportation to the warming centers for those in need. People can access SARTA from any regular bus stop and visit the Cornerstone Transit Center on Cherry Avenue SE.
The city said riders can ride to the centers with no fee once they notify drivers they are en route to a warming center and advised riders traveling to the Crossroads United Methodist Church to use route #102 or #105.
If transportation is needed when SARTA is unavailable, riders are asked to call the City of Canton dispatch at 330-649-5800.
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