CLEVELAND — A reminder that winter is right around the corner is headed to Northeast Ohio. Short-range models are coming in colder for Friday night into Saturday morning, especially along the Lake Erie snowbelt. Heavy lake-effect bands could bring a wintry mix of rain, snowflakes, graupel, and possibly sleet. Waterspouts are also possible over Lake Erie.
Wintry Mix Zone Across Northeast Ohio
The area with the best chance of a wintry mix stretches across Northeast Ohio. That includes areas near Cleveland, Mansfield, and north of Canton. The zone runs from the Lake Erie shoreline southwest through north-central Ohio.
If temperatures fall into the mid to upper 30s, as some models suggest, heavier bands could produce frozen precipitation. That mix could include rain, snowflakes, graupel, and sleet. Graupel is small, soft snow pellets that bounce when they hit the ground.
No Snow Accumulation Expected
Snow accumulation is not expected with this event. The ground and roads are still too warm for snow to stick. Any frozen precipitation will likely melt on contact.
Still, seeing some frozen precipitation mix in is possible, especially under the heaviest bands. For many people, it could be the first flakes of the season. Drivers should still be careful on bridges and overpasses.
Rain for Most Other Areas
Outside the wintry mix zone, most areas are expected to see rain. That includes Toledo and areas just south of Lake Erie. Canton and areas farther southeast toward Cambridge should also see mostly rain…