CLEVELAND, Ohio — Accumulating snow is expected to return to Northeast Ohio late Thursday night into Friday as a fast-moving clipper system moves through the region.

Forecasters say light to moderate snow is expected through Friday, with travel impacts possible during both the morning and evening commutes.

A brief burst of heavier snow or snow squalls is also possible as an Arctic cold front moves through later Friday, followed by gusty winds and dangerously cold air heading into the weekend.

Snow develops late Thursday night, intensifies Friday

Confidence continues to increase that the clipper system will bring widespread accumulating snow to the region from late Thursday night through Friday evening, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

Snow is expected to develop Thursday night as a warm front lifts from southwest to northeast across the region. More widespread snow is expected Friday morning through Friday evening as the cold front sweeps southeast across Northern Ohio.

Snow may be ongoing — or just getting underway — during the Friday morning commute, with steadier snowfall likely late morning through midafternoon. Forecasters say both the morning and evening commutes could be impacted by snow-covered and slick roads.

Some high-resolution guidance also suggests a brief burst of heavier snow or snow squalls along the Arctic front Friday afternoon or evening, which could quickly reduce visibility and worsen travel conditions around the time of the evening commute.

How much snow to expect

Snowfall totals are expected to be light to moderate but widespread across the region. Northeast Ohio is expected to see 2 to 4 inches, with higher amounts possible in the snowbelt east of Cleveland.

After the front passes, northwest winds may briefly enhance snowfall in parts of far Northeast Ohio. Forecasters say any lake-effect snow — fed by the northern Great Lakes and the few areas of Lake Erie without ice cover — should remain light and scattered, keeping additional accumulations limited.

Gusty winds follow the snow

Behind the Arctic front Friday, northwest winds are expected to increase, with gusts of 15 to 25 mph through Friday night.

The gusty winds could lead to areas of blowing and drifting snow, particularly in open and rural areas.

Dangerous Arctic cold arrives Friday night

A renewed surge of Arctic air will spill into the region Friday night, ushering in the coldest stretch of the forecast.

Air temperatures are expected to fall to between 5 degrees and minus 5 degrees late Friday night into early Saturday. Combined with gusty winds, wind chill values could drop to between 10 and 20 degrees below zero, especially Friday night into Saturday morning.

High temperatures Saturday are expected to reach only the single digits to low teens, with overnight lows Saturday night falling to 8 below zero to 2 above zero. Wind chills will remain below zero at times through the weekend.

Slow moderation early next week

Temperatures will gradually recover late in the weekend and early next week. Highs are expected to climb back into the upper teens and lower 20s Sunday, then rebound closer to freezing by Monday.

Forecasters say temperatures should trend closer to seasonal averages by the middle of next week.