Winter time is upon us soon, and that means a whole assortment of weather in Northeast Ohio. We have snow, sleet, rain, freezing rain, blizzards, snow squalls, and, of course, the infamous lake-effect snow.

There are many warnings, watches and advisories used to convey what folks need to prepare for. Do you know what a “Winter Weather Advisory” and “Winter Storm Warning” Mean?

Well, let me be your guide!

First off, all of these warnings, watches and advisories originate from the National Weather Service, specifically, the office in Cleveland for most of the News 5 Viewing Area. Two counties are under the Pittsburgh National Weather Service office: Tuscarawas and Carroll.

The most common alert across Northeast Ohio is the Winter Weather Advisory. This is kind of a catch-all for winter weather in a sense. These are issued if possible snow accumulations of 4 inches, and or any freezing rain accumulations less than ¼ inch for any county.

Every county can be under most winter warnings, advisories and watches. But there are only certain counties that can be under Lake-Effect Snow Warnings. Primarily, they are Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga, and Cuyahoga, the areas where most lake-effect snow occurs. It can be issued for any of our northernmost areas.

The criteria to be put under a Lake-Effect Snow Warning are if lake-effect snow accumulations of 6 inches or greater are anticipated.

Now, Winter Storm Watches and Warnings, too, are kind of a catch-all for winter weather, just in a more impactful way. A winter storm watch is issued for potential for a blizzard, heavy snowfall, or ice storm within the next 18 to 48 hours, issued when there is a 50% confidence or greater of at least 6 inches of snow and/or a ¼ inch of ice.

A Winter Storm Warning is issued for snow accumulations of 6 inches or greater; Freezing rain accumulations of ¼ inch or greater are imminent.

Now you noticed the word “blizzard” in the winter storm watch and warning. Well, it too has criteria, and it is probably more specific than you realize.

To have an actual blizzard, according to the National Weather Service definition, you need sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater AND falling/blowing snow reducing visibility to less than ¼ mile for at least three hours. That’s right, you don’t need falling snow to have a blizzard. A blizzard is a visibility concern, rather than a snowfall or accumulation concern.

People will only see blizzard warnings once in a great while here in Northeast Ohio, but we will see a “Snow Squall Warning” several times a winter, which gets confused for a blizzard.

You need a short-duration (less than 1 hour), polygon-based warning (like severe thunderstorms and tornadoes) that is issued when strong snow squalls and flash freezing will cause dangerous and life-threatening conditions, especially for roadways. Usually issued when ground/road temperatures are sub-freezing and visibility is less than ¼ mile.

An Ice Storm Warning is issued when freezing rain accumulations of ¼ inch or greater result in significant, widespread power outages, tree damage and dangerous travel. A warning that is not that common across Northeast Ohio, but can happen if conditions are right.

Now we’ve talked about winter precipitation problems. But cold air can be a problem for folks. Now, in years past, we had two ways to describe cold: the actual air temperature and the wind chill. In the last year, the National Weather Service has combined both into one advisory, watch and warning.

So, an Extreme Cold Watch is issued when a wind chill or temperature of -25ºF or colder is anticipated within the next 18 to 48 hours, and an Extreme Cold Warning is issued when -25°F or lower wind chills or temperatures are imminent. A Cold Advisory is issued when temperatures or wind chill of -15ºF to -24ºF are imminent.

So there you have it, all of the winter-season watches, warnings and advisories. Quite a list for sure, but keep in mind, Mother Nature is in charge, and does not abide by our lines on a map.

So you will need to stay weather-aware, and the Power of 5 Meteorologists will always keep you informed and ahead of the ever-changing weather this winter across Northeast Ohio.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Thursday brings another cloudy but calm day across Northeast Ohio before scattered showers move in Friday and a colder pattern takes shape next week.

Much of the region will stay mostly dry under a thick blanket of clouds, with temperatures remaining close to mid-November normals. Highs will reach the upper 40s to lower 50s, and winds will stay light through Thursday night.

Mostly cloudy conditions will stick around Thursday night as a weak front passes to the north. A stray shower can’t be entirely ruled out late, but most areas will stay dry. Overnight lows will fall into the upper 30s to low 40s.

Friday features a higher chance of showers as a low pressure system tracks out of the Mississippi Valley and lifts toward the Ohio River Valley. Moisture will arrive from the southwest, bringing scattered rain later in the day and into Friday night.

While showers could reach as far north as the lakeshore, the bulk of the rain will stay south of Cleveland toward Akron, Canton and Youngstown.

Temperatures Friday will hover near normal in the low to mid 50s, with minimal wind.

Drying out for the weekend

Showers will clear early Saturday as the system departs, allowing skies to gradually brighten through the afternoon. Cooler air moves in behind it, keeping highs in the upper 40s on Saturday.

Sunday looks to be the best outdoor day of the weekend. High pressure will build in, bringing sunshine and slightly milder temperatures in the low to mid 50s. Any remaining wet leaves from Friday’s rain should dry out, making Sunday a good window for late-season yard work or leaf cleanup.

Early-week rain could brush up against Thanksgiving travel plans

Early next week starts dry and seasonable, but a more significant storm system is expected to develop over the central United States and move through the Great Lakes region Tuesday into Wednesday.

While uncertainty remains in the exact track and intensity, rainfall appears increasingly likely, and any shifts could affect both rain amounts and wind potential.

The system will likely bring widespread rain to Northeast Ohio, with the heaviest activity currently favored for Tuesday into Tuesday night. Showers could linger into Wednesday — a key travel day before Thanksgiving — but impacts should be minimal.

Behind the system, a colder pattern becomes increasingly likely, with temperatures trending below normal for the holiday and into late November as the broader setup favors chillier air across Northeast Ohio and much of the northern U.S.

Jewell G. (née Griggs) Newcomer, age 93, passed away on November 19, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert Newcomer and the loving mother of Matthew, Jackie (Jim), and the late Robert Jr. and David. She was also the cherished sister of Clara (Gary) Bush, and was preceded in death by her siblings Bill, Clarence, Dorothy, and Kathel.

Jewell was a devoted grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, and a dear friend to all who knew her. She loved her church and treasured the many friendships she made there over the years.

She was truly an angel on earth and is now an angel in heaven.

Family and friends are welcome on Monday, November 24, 2025, from 4 p.m. until time of service at 7 p.m., at Slone & Co. Funeral Directors 13115 Lorain Ave. Cleveland, OH 44111. A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 11 a.m., at West Park Cemetery 3942 Ridge Rd, Cleveland, OH 44144 (please meet at gates by 10:45 a.m.). Following the Graveside Service, there will be a luncheon held at Freedom Church 12401 Cooley Ave, Cleveland, OH 44111.