TOLEDO, Ohio — It is only early December, but another round of wintry weather is ahead with an ALERT DAY beginning Wednesday evening and lasting through Thursday morning.
An Alberta Clipper is set to sweep across northwest Ohio and southern Michigan Wednesday night, bringing a burst of light snow, frigid wind chills and strong gusty winds. The system, known for its fast-moving nature and sudden impact, will arrive late Wednesday evening and persist through Thursday morning.
It is expected to bring a light coating of snow — up to an inch in some areas — along with wind gusts of up to 45 mph.
Here's what you need to know:
WHEN
The ALERT DAY will be active Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. The greatest impact will be Thursday morning, when slippery spots may slow the morning commute and the temperature may feel like near zero degrees.
Heavy snow showers are also expected to persist into Thursday, especially along the western edges of Michigan and in parts of northeast Ohio.
IMPACT
The most significant impact from this clipper will be the rapidly dropping wind chill values, which will continue into Thursday afternoon. Temperatures will plunge overnight into Thursday, and with the strong winds, it could feel like temperatures near zero in the morning and in the teens in the afternoon.
Winds will frequently gust to 40-45 mph with isolated gusts near 50 mph near the Lake Erie shore. Snowfall will be light, with most areas receiving one inch or less. It certainly won’t be much as far as snowfall, but it may time out to impact the morning drive Thursday morning.
In addition to the Alberta Clipper, this system is expected to enhance the ongoing lake effect snow activity across the Great Lakes. Areas that have already seen heavy snow in recent days, especially downwind of Lake Michigan and Lake Erie, will be prone to more accumulations as this clipper triggers renewed lake-effect snow bands. Localized snowfall totals in these regions could exceed several inches, creating challenging travel conditions.
NEED
The early-season cold could be potentially dangerous, particularly for those working outside for extended amounts of time to minimize exposure to the harsh winds and wind chills. Be prepared to bundle up in layers, cover exposed skin and take extra precautions while outdoors. Have the hats and gloves ready for the children at the bus stop in the morning.
Travelers should also be prepared for slippery roads and reduced visibility due to the light snow.