Lake effect snow creates dangerous driving conditions across Cleveland for Thanksgiving travelers

WESTLAKE, Ohio (WOIO) – Dangerous driving conditions developed across the Cleveland area Thursday as lake effect snow hit several communities west of Cleveland that weren’t expecting the heavy snowfall.

White-out conditions on Interstate 90 forced drivers to slow down as heavy snowfall made it nearly impossible to see the driving lanes. The snow fell heavily at times, not only east of the city as expected, but in communities west of Cleveland creating hazardous travel conditions for those heading home for Thanksgiving.

“It’s terrible out here. Visibility is zero — I could barely get around out here,” Jeff Spinelli of Westlake said.

Spinelli of Westlake, a private snow plow driver, finished his Thanksgiving dinner early after receiving calls to clear driveways. “We’ll be up all night,” Spinelli said.

Thundersnow phenomenon adds to dangerous conditions

A rare phenomenon called thundersnow also appeared Thursday and was captured by ODOT cameras. The weather event happens after a cold front passes over a body of water.

Kevin from Bay Village pulled over at a gas station in Westlake to determine whether to continue his trip home or wait until Friday due to the dangerous driving conditions and numerous accidents on the freeway.

“This is crazy! I was just trying to get home back to Columbus and was not expecting this kind of snow,” Kevin said. “Stopped here just to try and think if I wanted to go on the highway or not.”

ODOT salt and plow trucks worked overtime to help travelers reach family and friends safely for the holiday. Officials asked drivers to give crews room to work.

But it was nearly impossible to keep up with the snowfall, “You’re not going to see bare pavement, you’re not going to be able to drive 70 miles per hour on I-90,” said Matt Bruning with ODOT.

Bruning said the intense lake effect snow was expected to fall at one inch per hour, reducing visibility to a quarter mile or less. Strong winds caused conditions to change rapidly.

The Lake Effect Snow Warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. Friday in some counties.

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