CLEVELAND, Ohio — An intense Arctic front swept across Northeast Ohio on Monday, delivering snow squalls, strong winds, and dangerously low wind chills, with the potential for an even longer period of extreme cold on the horizon.
The National Weather Service’s Cleveland office issued a snow squall warning that lasts until 11:45 a.m., affecting areas along I-480, I-490, I-77, and I-271 near Cleveland, as well as U.S. routes 6 and 322 around Chardon. The Arctic front moved from west to east, leading to sporadic heavy snow showers and snow squalls, particularly noticeable east of Interstate 71. These snow squalls can result in sudden whiteout conditions, rapidly covering roads with as much as an inch of snow.
Wind gusts throughout the region are projected to reach between 35 and 45 mph, with gusts peaking at 45 to 50 mph along the Lake Erie shoreline east of Cleveland. Coupled with plummeting temperatures, these winds may bring wind chills down to a bone-chilling minus 15 to minus 20 degrees late Monday into Tuesday morning.
A Cold Weather Advisory has been enforced from Monday afternoon to noon Tuesday for a significant portion of northern Ohio. Following the front, residents can expect lake-effect snow to develop late Monday and into Tuesday.
Looking ahead, another weather system is expected midweek, as a swift-moving clipper brings light snow accumulation, likely between 1 to 2 inches, from Wednesday into Thursday. Meteorologists are increasingly confident about a subsequent period of dangerously cold weather beginning Friday and enduring potentially into early next week, with medium-range forecasts suggesting a 40% to 50% chance that wind chills could dip below minus 15 degrees once again.
This current cold snap serves as a reminder of the harsh winter conditions that can impact daily life in the region. Residents are encouraged to prepare for the cold and monitor weather updates for any changes in forecast and advisories.