TOLEDO, Ohio -
The ‘big picture' remains the same, regarding our snowfall forecast, and the timing. One big headline that has changed, from the National Weather Service's standpoint, is that a Blizzard Warning has been issued for our eastern and southeastern counties. Lucas and Wood County are NOT in the Blizzard Warning, but Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Hancock, and other counties farther to the east and south are in the Blizzard Warning. The rest of NW Ohio is under a Winter Storm Warning. SE Michigan is under a Winter Weather Advisory.
What is a blizzard? The following conditions must be met, for a period of 3 hours or more:
- Winds sustained – OR frequently gusting - to 35 mph or greater
- Visibility reduced under ¼ mile due to falling or blowing snow.
Our forecast remains generally unchanged: 4" to 8" of snow for most of the viewing area, including the entire Toledo metro area. 2" to 4" for Hillsdale County and far northwestern Williams County, OH. 8" to 12" for our southeasternmost communities, including Upper Sandusky, Norwalk, and potentially Tiffin (we have Tiffin on the line right now, at around 8" for them). There is potential for a few localized areas to our southeast to see a touch more than 12", but 8" to 12" should fit most of that region best.
TIMING: WEDNESDAY and WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Daybreak: Light snow may begin near Lima / Upper Sandusky, but most of us will wake up to a cloudy, dry morning.
10 AM: Light snow spreads north, approaching, and potentially reaching the Ohio Turnpike
Noon: Light snow spreads north across the rest of the Toledo metro, advancing into extreme SE Michigan
2 PM: All areas in our viewing area will likely see snow at this point. The snow will become heavier in our southern and southeastern counties.
3 PM – 9 PM: Heavy snow across most of the region, with moderate snow in the northwest. Winds will become very blustery, and some areas, especially just to our southeast, could approach near-whiteout conditions.
9 PM – Midnight: Moderate snow decreases in intensity, with the steady snow potentially coming to an end near the Indiana line. GUSTY WINDS will continue to cause blowing and drifting, reducing visibilities, and impeding the road crews' progress.
Midnight, Wednesday night – 7 AM Thursday: Steady, lighter snow will gradually end from west to east, giving way to occasional snow showers. A biting wind from the northeast will continue to cause drifting, so even after the snow ends, road crews will have to battle the drifting as snow is swept from north to south.
BE SAFE out there, and check back on 13abc and 13abc.com for updates.
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