CLEVELAND — With snow in the weather forecast for Northeast Ohio during the Thanksgiving travel period, the Ohio Department of Transportation says they are prepared with more than 250 snowplows and 300,000 tons of salt.
“With surface temperatures still above freezing, ODOT does not expect much impact from any snow that mixes in for Thanksgiving Day travel,” according to a press release. “However, ramps, bridges and overpasses could become slippery, and motorists should use caution.”
ODOT says their crews will be “working around the clock as soon as the snow starts to fly.”
“Travel on Friday, Saturday and potentially Sunday -- depending on how lake effect snow persists -- will be impacted,” ODOT says. “If you plan to travel this holiday weekend, allow plenty of extra travel time, check the forecast and plan ahead by checking out OHGO.com to view hundreds of live traffic cameras, traffic speeds and be informed of any crashes or incidents.”
3News’ Anthony Copeland says we’re tracking a “significant amount” of lake effect snow for communities east of Cleveland along the I-90 corridor in Lake and Ashtabula counties.
“A northwest flow is going to be established across the Great Lakes, so lake effect really cranks up Friday morning, Friday afternoon, Saturday, Sunday, right into your Monday,” Copeland says while noting we could see upwards of a foot of snow in those areas.
The National Weather Service also says the snow rates will create poor visibility, “which could make travel difficult to impossible, especially along Interstate 90.”