Lake-Effect Snow — Ashtabula, Ohio

2025-01-01 to 2025-01-02 · Ashtabula, Ohio

Event narrative

As low pressure intensified over Upstate New York early on January 1st it pulled cold air in behind it, allowing rain to transition to snow. This initial snow behind the low pressure resulted in light accumulations of 1 to 3 inches across the area. This low pressure exited off the New England coast during the afternoon as cold air continued to flow in on westerly winds, allowing snow to transition to lake effect bands that continued into January 2nd. These lake effect bands were heavier, with rates peaking at greater than 1 inch per hour early January 2nd, before activity lost organization and began shifting northeast and out of the area through the remainder of the 2nd. A trained spotter in Pierpoint reported 8.5 inches of accumulation from the lake effect snow, with another spotter in nearby Monroe Township measuring 7.9 inches. A spotter in Jefferson received 5.8 inches of snow. During the heaviest snow, low visibility and snow-covered roads led to difficult travel conditions.

Wider weather episode

As low pressure intensified over Upstate New York early on January 1st it pulled cold air in behind it, allowing rain to transition to snow. This initial snow behind the low pressure resulted in light accumulations across Northeast Ohio. This low pressure exited off the New England coast during the afternoon as cold air continued to flow in on westerly winds, allowing snow to transition to lake effect bands that continued into January 2nd. These lake effect bands were heavier, with rates peaking at greater than 1 inch per hour early January 2nd, before activity lost organization and began shifting northeast and out of the area through the remainder of the 2nd. The lake effect snow produced localized heavy accumulations across portions of Ashtabula County. A trained spotter in Pierpoint reported 8.5 inches of accumulation from the lake effect snow, with another spotter in nearby Monroe Township measuring 7.9 inches. During the heaviest snow, low visibility and snow-covered roads led to difficult travel conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1267270. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.