CLEVELAND, Ohio — Snow will impact Northeast Ohio this weekend, and the timing for when it begins will vary depending on your location.

Forecasters say lake-effect snow will spread across the snowbelt of Northeast Ohio through early Saturday afternoon, while a clipper system from the southwest will bring a broader area of accumulating snow to inland areas later Saturday.

As a result, a lake-effect snow warning has been issued for Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, while a winter weather advisory has been issued for the rest of Northeast Ohio.

Once snow begins accumulating, travel conditions are expected to deteriorate quickly, with slick roads and reduced visibility likely. Motorists can check ohgo.com for the latest road conditions.

The latest snow timing across Northeast Ohio

The first impacts will be felt in the primary snowbelt, where lake-effect snow will develop by early afternoon. Northeastern Cuyahoga County and much of Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga counties could see snow begin before 2 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

Between 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, accumulating snow will approach from the southwest and spread into areas outside the snowbelt. By Saturday afternoon and evening, snow is expected to become more widespread across much of the region.

Latest snow map: What it shows

The newest snow map from the weather service shows little change to expected snowfall, with higher amounts in the snowbelt and lower totals farther inland.

Most communities outside the primary snowbelt are expected to see 1 to 4 inches of snow from Saturday’s system, while 5 to 10 inches remain possible in the snowbelt through Sunday night. The highest totals are most likely east of Cleveland, where lake-effect snow is forecast to persist the longest.

Snow continues into Sunday

Snow will not end once Saturday’s system moves through. As bone-chilling Arctic air moves across Lake Erie, conditions will remain favorable for lake-effect snow to continue into Sunday.

The primary snowbelt is expected to bear the brunt of the impact, where persistent or occasionally shifting snow bands could continue producing accumulating snow. Areas outside the snowbelt could also see additional accumulations Sunday as lake-effect bands push inland at times.

Forecasters warn snowfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour within stronger bands, leading to rapidly changing conditions.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — It’s going to be a snowy weekend in Northeast Ohio, which could impact weekend plans and travel across the region.

A fast-moving system will bring accumulating snow to Northeast Ohio on Saturday, followed by intensifying lake-effect snow and the coldest air of the season so far Saturday night into Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

The evolving setup will feature three distinct phases: a cold front Saturday morning, a clipper system Saturday afternoon and evening, and persistent lake-effect snow into Sunday before conditions gradually improve Monday.

Saturday morning: Cold front, minor snow

A cold front will cross the region early Saturday, bringing scattered flurries or light snow showers, mainly during the morning hours. Any accumulation with this initial push is expected to be minimal.

Temperatures will be at their highest early in the day, generally ranging from the mid 20s to near 30 degrees, before beginning a steady decline as colder air filters in behind the front.

Saturday afternoon and evening: Clipper brings widespread snow

The main round of accumulating snow will arrive between about 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday as a fast-moving clipper system tracks through the Ohio Valley, forecasters said.

Snow will spread quickly across much of Northeast Ohio, including areas outside the snowbelt. Most communities can expect 1 to 4 inches of snow during this phase, with the highest totals generally favored south and east of Cleveland.

Snowfall rates may briefly approach around 1 inch per hour during the afternoon and evening, and gusty winds could reduce visibility at times, making travel hazardous.

By late Saturday evening, the widespread snow will exit from west to east, but winter impacts will be far from over.

Saturday night into Sunday: Lake-effect intensifies, Arctic cold arrives

As the clipper departs, much colder air will pour across Lake Erie, allowing lake-effect snow to intensify Saturday night and continue through Sunday.

A lake-effect snow warning is in effect from 1 p.m. Saturday through 7 a.m. Monday for Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, where 5 to 10 inches of snow is expected.

The heaviest totals are favored in eastern Cuyahoga County, southern Lake County, inland Ashtabula County and much of Geauga County.

Snow bands are expected to initially favor areas closer to Lake Erie late Saturday afternoon and evening, before shifting farther inland late Saturday night into Sunday as winds turn more northwesterly. Snowfall rates within stronger bands could reach 1 to 1.5 inches per hour, especially Saturday evening and night.

Elsewhere, a winter weather advisory is in effect for Lorain, Medina, Summit, Portage and Trumbull counties, where snow from the clipper will be followed by additional lake-effect snow late Saturday night into Sunday. Total accumulations in advisory areas are expected to range from 2 to 5 inches, with localized higher amounts possible if bands persist.

Bitter cold and dangerous wind chills

Behind the snow, the cold will become a major concern.

Overnight lows Saturday night will fall into the upper single digits and teens, with wind chills dropping to between zero and 10 degrees below zero, especially late Saturday night and early Sunday.

Highs Sunday will only reach the upper teens to mid 20s, with another frigid night expected Sunday night.

Monday: Lingering snow, gradual improvement

Lake-effect snow will gradually wind down late Sunday night into early Monday, though a few lingering snow showers are possible, especially in far Northeast Ohio.

It will remain cold on Monday, but high pressure building into the region should bring quieter weather before a gradual moderation begins later next week.

CLEVELAND — Ohio is getting a jumpstart on winter. 

Through the weekend, highs will drop with wind chills dipping into the negatives, according to Spectrum News 1 meteorologists. To help residents get out of the cold, the City of Cleveland is activating its warming centers through Monday.

Here are the warming centers that will be available: 

• Michael Zone Recreation Center
  6301 Lorain Ave.
  (216) 664-3373
• EJ Kovacic Recreation Center
  6250 St. Clair Avenue
  (216) 664-4140
• Zelma George Recreation Center
  3155 Martin L. King Blvd.
  (216) 420-8800
• Collinwood Recreation Center
  16300 Lakeshore Blvd.
  (216) 420-8323

And here’s how long they’ll be open for, Saturday through Monday:

• Saturday, Dec. 13: 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 14: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 15: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

For overnight shelters, RTA passes can be provided to help with transportation to a nearby facility, the city said.