Snow delivers one-two punch to Friday travel in Northeast Ohio: Latest timeline

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Travel conditions across Northeast Ohio are expected to deteriorate in waves Friday as an Alberta clipper and Arctic front move through the region, bringing multiple rounds of winter weather during both the morning and evening commutes.

While this is not expected to be a major snowstorm, the system is likely to create multiple periods of hazardous travel Friday. Widespread snowfall of 2 to 4 inches is expected across Northeast Ohio, with an additional inch or two possible in the snowbelt east of Cleveland.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for all of Northeast Ohio through early Saturday, with forecasters emphasizing that the combination of snow, blowing snow and sharply falling temperatures — rather than just totals — will drive travel impacts.

Early morning: Freezing drizzle, light snow create slick start

Some areas of Northeast Ohio saw freezing drizzle around daybreak Friday, a setup that can quickly glaze untreated roads and sidewalks.

Snow is expected to overspread the area around 8 a.m. Forecasters say light to occasionally moderate snowfall will make roads snow covered in spots, particularly on secondary streets.

While snowfall rates are not expected to be extreme, the combination of cold pavement temperatures and early precipitation could slow the morning commute.

Within Northeast Ohio, lighter but steady snow is expected through late morning, while the heaviest snowfall rates are forecast farther southwest of the region.

Late morning into early afternoon: Snow tapers, brief lull

Snow is expected to ease or end from west to east late Friday morning into early afternoon, allowing road crews a window to improve conditions.

Forecasters caution that this lull will be temporary and should not be mistaken for the end of the event.

Evening commute: Arctic front brings burst of snow, squalls

The most hazardous conditions are expected late Friday afternoon into the evening as an Arctic cold front sweeps across Northeast Ohio between roughly 4 and 8 p.m.

A broken line of heavier snow showers or snow squalls are expected to accompany the front, producing brief but intense snowfall rates, rapidly falling visibility and a quick hit of snow on roadways. Wind gusts could reach 35 to 45 mph, leading to blowing and drifting snow, especially in open areas.

Temperatures will drop sharply behind the front, allowing any moisture on roadways to freeze quickly and worsen travel conditions.

Overnight: Snow tapers, dangerous cold sets in

Snow showers will gradually diminish late Friday night, though localized lake-enhanced snow may linger in parts of the snowbelt.

Behind the storm, Arctic air will surge into the region, sending overnight temperatures down to between 5 and minus 5 degrees. Wind chills are expected to fall to 15 to 25 degrees below zero by early Saturday, prompting a cold weather advisory across the region through noon Saturday.