Lake Effect Snow Alert Issued for Ohio and Pennsylvania

January 1, 2026 — Cleveland, OH / Erie, PA: The National Weather Service (NWS) in Cleveland has issued a Lake Effect Snow Warning for portions of northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania, including the Erie area, due to heavy, localized snow bands expected to create hazardous travel conditions through Wednesday night and into Thursday.

The warning, issued at 12:45 PM ET, highlights that intense snow squalls will significantly reduce visibility and create dangerous road conditions, particularly in areas where lake-effect bands linger.

Travel in affected areas may become very difficult or even dangerous, especially during periods of whiteout conditions.

Targeted Impact Zones Across Ohio and Pennsylvania

The warning specifically applies to Ashtabula, Lake, and Geauga Counties in Ohio, and extends across the state line into Erie and Crawford Counties in Pennsylvania. These regions are downwind of Lake Erie, making them highly vulnerable to lake-effect snow events.

According to the NWS, “Persistent lake-effect snow bands are expected to develop off Lake Erie, producing heavy snowfall and significantly reduced visibility.”

Some areas could see snowfall rates exceeding 1 to 2 inches per hour, particularly during the nighttime hours. Local accumulations may vary, but totals of 8 to 12 inches are possible in the most impacted zones, especially just inland from the lakeshore where bands often stall and intensify.

Travel Conditions to Rapidly Deteriorate

Road conditions are expected to deteriorate quickly in areas hit by snow bands. Portions of Interstate 90, U.S. Route 20, and State Route 2 in Ohio, along with I-79 and I-86 in Pennsylvania, may experience periods of blowing and drifting snow, making travel treacherous.

Motorists are advised to delay unnecessary trips and prepare for sudden weather changes.

“Drivers in these areas need to be extremely cautious,” said a spokesperson from NWS Cleveland. “Lake-effect snow can lead to whiteout conditions with little warning, especially at night and during the morning commute.”

Cold Temperatures and Wind Adding to Concerns

Alongside the snow, gusty…