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.

CLEVELAND — Winter may be brutal for some, but there are some sights of beauty, such as Lake Erie freezing over. 

While the weather wonder is beautiful to look at, officials say that’s all visitors should do: look, but don’t walk on it. 

According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Lake Erie has over 95% ice coverage, but not quite 100%. The last time Lake Erie reached 100% ice coverage was in 1996. 

While it may seem safe, it’s never 100% safe, according to the Cuyahoga County Emergency Management Agency.

On average, between 2014 and 2024, 21 people died in Lake Erie each year, according to Towey Law. While many of the deaths happen over the summer, because of water sports like boating and jet skiing, some happen in the winter. Between those 10 years, 13 deaths were attributed to falling in. 

“It is never recommended that you walk on ice,” County County EMA said. “Fluctuating temperatures and underwater currents can create unstable, dangerous conditions.”

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The snow shovels may get another brief workout before the week is over — and the timing could complicate the Friday morning commute.

After snow showers Tuesday and a brief midweek lull, Northeast Ohio is on track for a round of accumulating snow Friday as a clipper system moves through the Great Lakes.

The late-week system will be followed by another surge of Arctic air, keeping temperatures well below normal this weekend and setting the stage for additional lake-effect snow chances.

Light snow Tuesday, brief lull midweek

Snow showers will continue at times Tuesday as a weak cold front moves across the region. While much of the snow will be light, forecasters say a brief heavier burst is possible along the front, which could lead to slick conditions on untreated roads.

Additional accumulation today is expected to remain around an inch or less, according to the National Weather Service Cleveland.

High temperatures Tuesday will reach the mid to upper 20s before colder air settles back into the region tonight. Overnight lows are expected to fall into the single digits, with clearing skies allowing temperatures to drop quickly after sunset.

Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be mostly quiet, with dry conditions favored across much of Northeast Ohio. Highs Wednesday will struggle to reach the upper teens to lower 20s, while Thursday will be slightly milder, with temperatures climbing into the 20s ahead of the next system.

Overnight lows Wednesday are expected to dip back into the single digits, while Thursday night lows will be in the teens thanks to increasing cloud cover ahead of the next system.

Accumulating snow expected Friday

Snow is expected to develop late Thursday night and become widespread Friday as an Arctic front moves southeast through the Great Lakes.

Meteorologists at WKYC say the snow is most likely to impact the Friday morning commute before tapering off later in the day, with some lake-effect snow possible behind the system.

The National Weather Service in Cleveland currently expects roughly 1 to 4 inches of snow across Northeast Ohio, with the highest totals most likely in higher terrain east of Cleveland, where upslope flow could enhance snowfall.

Much colder air follows into the weekend

Colder air will pour in behind Friday’s system, ushering in another stretch of bitter winter weather for the weekend.

Scattered lake-effect snow showers are possible Friday night through Saturday, though significant accumulations are not expected due to extensive ice coverage on Lake Erie.

Forecasters say subzero wind chills are possible at times Saturday through Monday as Arctic high pressure settles over the region. Dry but very cold conditions are expected to round out the weekend before temperatures begin to moderate slightly early next week.