CLEVELAND, Ohio — Friday’s snow forecast is coming into sharper focus as an Alberta clipper and Arctic front approach Northeast Ohio.

Snow is expected to increase across the region Thursday night and continue through Friday, with travel impacts likely during the morning commute. Conditions are expected to worsen significantly during Friday’s evening commute as snow squalls, gusty winds and dangerous cold move in behind the front.

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued winter weather and cold weather advisories for parts of Northeast Ohio ahead of the storm and incoming Arctic air.

Light snow Thursday night, steadier snow Friday morning

After a few spotty snow showers overnight, a more widespread round of snow is expected Friday morning across Northeast Ohio.

Forecasters say snow between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. could impact the Friday morning commute, with light to occasionally moderate snowfall rates. While snowfall totals are not expected to be extreme, roads are likely to become slick during the morning hours.

Brief lull possible before conditions worsen

Forecasters say snow may become lighter or more intermittent Friday afternoon before the most impactful part of the storm arrives.

Confidence is increasing that conditions will deteriorate rapidly late Friday afternoon into the evening as the Arctic front sweeps across the region, coinciding with the peak of the evening commute.

Snow squalls, blowing snow possible Friday evening

The Arctic front is expected to reach the Cleveland area between 5 and 7 p.m. and move through eastern portions of Northeast Ohio between 6 and 8 p.m.

Forecasters warn a broken line of heavier snow showers or snow squalls could accompany the front, producing brief but intense snowfall rates, gusty winds and rapidly dropping visibility. Wind gusts could reach 30 to 40 mph, with visibility falling below one mile at times.

Blowing and drifting snow is also possible, especially in open areas.

Snow totals, advisories

Total snowfall from Thursday through early Saturday is expected to range from 2 to 4 inches across much of Northeast Ohio, with locally higher totals possible in the snowbelt east of Cleveland.

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday for Cuyahoga and Geauga counties, where 3 to 5 inches of snow are possible.

Dangerous cold follows the snow

Behind the front, Arctic air will pour into the Great Lakes, sending temperatures sharply downward Friday night.

Overnight lows in Northeast Ohio are expected to fall between 5 and minus 5 degrees, with wind chills dropping to 15 to 25 degrees below zero across much of Northeast Ohio.

As a result, a cold weather advisory is in effect from 1 a.m. to noon Saturday.

High temperatures Saturday are expected to remain in the single digits to lower teens, with subzero wind chills lingering through the day. Bitter cold is expected to persist into Sunday morning before a gradual moderation early next week.