A fast-moving winter system barreled across northeastern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania, and western New York on Saturday, January 17, 2026, triggering a widespread series of Snow Squall Warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS).
The alerts, spanning multiple counties and interstates, underscored the sudden, life-threatening nature of the weather event as bands of heavy snow, gusty winds, and rapidly falling visibility created hazardous driving conditions within minutes.
Ohio is among the Hardest Hit by Sudden Whiteouts and Flash Freezing
Northeastern Ohio was struck by multiple, radar-indicated snow squalls, some of which stretched across Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, and Carroll Counties, as the storm system advanced eastward at 25 to 35 mph.
At 1:46 PM EST, the NWS Cleveland office issued a warning for Mahoning and southeastern Trumbull Counties, noting the development of a snow squall line from Vienna Center to near Salem.
“We’re looking at intense, short-lived bursts of snow that can completely blind drivers and flash-freeze road surfaces,” said James Conley, Lead Meteorologist with NWS Cleveland. “Conditions change so fast, there’s virtually no time to react.”
Hazards included:
- Near-zero visibility due to heavy snow and blowing wind
- Flash freezing on roads, creating immediate traction loss
- Wind gusts up to 35 mph
Travel on major routes such as I-80, I-76, I-680, and US-422 was significantly disrupted. Towns like Youngstown, Boardman, Canfield, and Austintown reported sharp temperature drops, followed by instantaneous road slickening.
Eastern and Northeastern Ohio: Multiple Counties Under Snow Squall Warnings
Earlier in the afternoon, additional snow squalls had developed further west. At 1:28 PM, a warning was issued for northeastern Trumbull County, with a squall line stretching from Kinsman to Warren. This led to delays and dangerous conditions in Howland Center, Vienna, Brookfield Center, and nearby areas.
By 1:46 PM, the NWS Pittsburgh office issued another Snow Squall Warning for Columbiana and Carroll Counties, including communities like Salem, Lisbon, and Leetonia, where roads quickly deteriorated.
Snow Squall Warning Issued for Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York
The post “Snow Squall Warning Issued for Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York” by Viktor Vincej was published on 01/17/2026 by www.travelinglifestyle.net