Lake-Effect Snow — Ashtabula Lakeshore, Ohio

2018-03-08 to 2018-03-09 · Ashtabula Lakeshore, Ohio

Event narrative

An area of low pressure moved across the Upper Ohio Valley early on March 7th. The low quickly shifted off the East Coast and the slowly drifted east on the 8th. Moisture wrapping around this low pressure system caused lake effect snow bands to develop over Northeast Ohio by midday on the 8th. The snow showers quickly intensified and moderate to heavy snow was reported much of the afternoon and evening of the 8th. The snow showers briefly tapered off late in the evening and during the early morning hours of the 9th. Snow showers redeveloped during the daylight hours on the 9th with moderate snow reported at times. The snow finally tapered off for good during the evening of the 9th. Westerly winds accompanied the snow and gusted to more than 20 mph at times. This caused some blowing and drifting and reduced visibilities to less than a quarter mile with the heaviest snow bands. Accumulations of 8 inches or more occurred from eastern Cuyahoga County across Geauga County and into Ashtabula County. In Ashtabula County, a peak total of 9.0 inches was reported at Kellogsville with 8.6 inches at Pierpont and 8.5 inches at Jefferson. Many accidents were reported.

Wider weather episode

An area of low pressure moved across the Upper Ohio Valley early on March 7th. The low quickly shifted off the East Coast and the slowly drifted east on the 8th. Moisture wrapping around this low pressure system caused lake effect snow bands to develop over Northeast Ohio by midday on the 8th. The snow showers quickly intensified and moderate to heavy snow was reported much of the afternoon and evening of the 8th. The snow showers briefly tapered off late in the evening and during the early morning hours of the 9th. Snow showers redeveloped during the daylight hours on the 9th with moderate snow reported at times. The snow finally tapered off for good during the evening of the 9th. Westerly winds accompanied the snow and gusted to more than 20 mph at times. This caused some blowing and drifting and reduced visibilities to less than a quarter mile with the heaviest snow bands. Accumulations of 8 inches or more occurred from eastern Cuyahoga County across Geauga County and into Ashtabula County. In Cuyahoga County, a peak total of 11.9 inches was reported at Chagrin Falls with 9.0 inches at Bedford Heights and 8.0 inches at Beachwood. In Geauga County, 12 inches was measured at both Montville and Burton with 10.5 inches north of Chardon and 10.2 inches in Chardon. In Ashtabula County, a peak total of 9.0 inches was reported at Kellogsville with 8.6 inches at Pierpont and 8.5 inches at Jefferson. Many accidents were reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 746410. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.