CLEVELAND, Ohio – A potent storm system will bring several hazards to Northeast Ohio Wednesday, including rapidly falling temperatures, strong winds with gusts up to 50 mph and significant lake effect snow for counties along Lake Erie through Friday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

The cold front moving through the region Wednesday morning will cause temperatures to plummet from highs in the mid-40s to low 50s early today to the 30s by afternoon and 20s tonight. Wind chill values will drop into the 20s today and the teens overnight. A Wind Advisory is in effect for the entire area, with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph expected through early Thursday morning.

Up to 16 inches of snow expected in snowbelt on Thanksgiving

Lake effect snow will develop Wednesday evening and intensify overnight into Thursday, particularly impacting the snowbelt counties east of Cleveland. Snowfall totals of 4 to 16 inches are expected across the Ohio snowbelt, with the highest amounts in northern Geauga County, southern Lake County and northeast Ashtabula County. The National Weather Service has issued a Lake Effect Snow Warning for these areas from 1 a.m. Thursday until 7 p.m. Friday. Snowfall rates may reach 1 to 2 inches per hour Thursday, Thanksgiving.

The combination of heavy snow and strong winds will create hazardous travel conditions with poor visibility and blowing snow. Motorists should avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary and carry a winter preparedness kit if they must travel.

Travel ban for high-profile vehicles issued for Ohio Turnpike

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has issued a travel ban for high-profile vehicles along the entire 241-mile toll road beginning Wednesday morning.

According to a news release, the ban took effect at 8 a.m. and will remain in place until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, or until officials determine conditions are safe enough to lift the restriction.

Winter storm watch issued for parts of northern Ohio

A winter storm watch has been issued for parts of Northeast Ohio beginning Thanksgiving morning and extending through Friday evening.

The areas within the watch include Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties.

A gale warning has also been issued for Lake Erie through Friday morning, as winds could reach 40 knots.

Wind advisory in effect for area

A wind advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. Thursday through 1 a.m. Friday for counties along Lake Erie, where west winds of 20–30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph may cause downed limbs, scattered outages and hazardous travel, especially for high-profile vehicles.

Storm system expected to depart Friday

Lake effect snow will gradually taper off Friday from west to east as the weather system moves away. High temperatures will remain in the 30s through Saturday, with overnight lows falling into the upper teens to mid-20s Friday night.

The weekend will bring a brief reprieve on Saturday before another storm system approaches on Sunday, bringing rain that will transition to a rain/snow mix late Sunday and eventually to all snow by Monday. Temperatures will climb into the 40s on Sunday before returning to the upper 20s to low 30s early next week.