Ice Ice Storm Advisory
The Toledo area braced Wednesday morning for a winter storm expected to deliver a broad range of precipitation to the region, with a substantial snowfall in northwestern areas contrasting with an all-rain forecast to the southeast.
Some of the worst potential weather was forecast for the immediate metro area, with the National Weather Service office in Cleveland issuing an ice storm warning for Lucas, Wood, and Ottawa counties that took effect at 1 p.m. Wednesday and expires at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Forecasters said the storm was likely to start in that area with “a light wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain.” The heaviest precipitation was expected to coincide with a transition to freezing rain that could result in ice accumulation of between two-tenths and three-tenths of an inch.
“Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice,” the weather office said. “Travel will be very difficult due to slippery road conditions and periodic poor visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.”
By mid-afternoon Wednesday, the ice storm warning area was expanded to include Hancock, Sandusky, and Seneca counties. At about 4:30 p.m., the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office declared a Level 1 snow emergency, effectively cautioning people about difficult travel conditions.
While light during the storm’s peak, wind will rise from the west on Thursday and gust to 30 mph, forecasters said.
The weather service reiterated Ohio Department of Transportation and Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission advice that people avoid travel, and that those who hit the road travel with flashlights, food, water, and emergency kits including blankets to protect against become stranded.
Roadway maintenance agencies throughout the metro area pretreated pavement with salt brine in hopes of making snow or ice less likely to stick.
Other areas in the region were covered by winter weather advisories issued by several National Weather Service offices, also for a period running from 1 p.m. Wednesday until 7 a.m. Thursday.