Cleveland to Cincinnati

[BuzzLiteyear]

How is the interstate from Cleveland to Cincinnati when it's snowing? As luck would have it, Winter Storm DRACO will be brining snow on the day we leave for WDW. I am looking at alternate routes and I'm thinking of heading west into Ohio and down through Kentucky and Tennessee.

 

[mfp]

It can really depend. I know that doesn't help much. Typically, Columbus and Cincy don't get as much snow (usually rain) in the winter compared to Northern Ohio, but it seems like the weather has been really erratic the past few yrs and sometimes Columbus can get it bad out of the blue. Since they aren't used to as much snow, when it snows there are a ton of accidents. I would venture to think that it would be similar in Cincy (I grew up in Cleveland, but went to college and lived in the Columbus area for about 10 yrs). Good luck with your drive, drive slowly, take your time and pack some emergency items, just in case. A lot of ppl who end up in the ditches or in accidents were driving too aggressively to begin with. Have fun down in FL!

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Thanks!

 

[LadyBeBop]

Where are you coming in from? And when?

That said, I-71 from Cleveland to Cincinnati shouldn't be a problem. They're expecting snow showers, and the snow usually doesn't stick in that situation.

However, I'd still keep an eye on the weather. Anything more than a dusting here in Cincinnati will put the region on high alert. Point blank, we don't drive well in snow. I stay off the roads if it's snowing, and there's more than about two inches on the roads. They're pretty good at clearing the roads after the snow. It's just during the snow that's horrible.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I am located 10 miles west of 71 in Cleveland we could get 2-4 inches. The east side of Cleveland will get 6-9 inches on Saturday. 71 Is maintained by the highway dept and is usually kept in good shape all depends on the winds. Once you are in Wayne County on 71 the snow amounts should tapper off to a trace to 1 inch

What day are you leaving?

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

I am located 10 miles west of 71 in Cleveland we could get 2-4 inches. The east side of Cleveland will get 6-9 inches on Saturday. 71 Is maintained by the highway dept and is usually kept in good shape all depends on the winds. Once you are in Wayne County on 71 the snow amounts should tapper off to a trace to 1 inch

What day are you leaving?

I am leaving from just south of Buffalo and will probably be on the road by 2pm on Friday. I am coming up with as many alternate routes as I can.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Okay. Here is what our local weathman is saying

By Thursday night, rain will start around midday. Temps near 50 early…then fall in the late afternoon. The transition to snow will begin late Thursday evening and overnight. By Friday morning, some light accumulations are a good bet…around 1-2″ region wide.

Then the lake effect. By late Friday, some spots could see 3-6″ in the snowbelt areas

If you are traveling on I90 from Buffalo you will be in the heart of the snowbelt area. If you are able to get to the turnpike (80) you will be on the southern part of the snowbelt and should expect less snow fall - you might see 2 - 3 inches in the area of the turnpike. Plus the turnpike is VERY well maintained by the plow drivers.
Not to mention on I-90 you will encounter rush hour traffic since you will have to take I-90 into downtown Cleveland in order to get to I-71. The turnpike will not be as congested.

Here is a link to our local news stations.
http://fox8.com/weather/forecast/

www.wkyc.com

here is another site that will give you the up to date info on road condition in Ohio

http://www.buckeyetraffic.org/
on the left side of the screen you can click the options you want the map do display such as "traffic cams" "winter conditons" and it will show you the condtions statewide.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Okay. Here is what our local weathman is saying

By Thursday night, rain will start around midday. Temps near 50 early…then fall in the late afternoon. The transition to snow will begin late Thursday evening and overnight. By Friday morning, some light accumulations are a good bet…around 1-2″ region wide.

Then the lake effect. By late Friday, some spots could see 3-6″ in the snowbelt areas

If you are traveling on I90 from Buffalo you will be in the heart of the snowbelt area. If you are able to get to the turnpike (80) you will be on the southern part of the snowbelt and should expect less snow fall - you might see 2 - 3 inches in the area of the turnpike. Plus the turnpike is VERY well maintained by the plow drivers.
Not to mention on I-90 you will encounter rush hour traffic since you will have to take I-90 into downtown Cleveland in order to get to I-71. The turnpike will not be as congested.

Here is a link to our local news stations.
http://fox8.com/weather/forecast/

www.wkyc.com

here is another site that will give you the up to date info on road condition in Ohio

http://www.buckeyetraffic.org/
on the left side of the screen you can click the options you want the map do display such as "traffic cams" "winter conditons" and it will show you the condtions statewide.

Thank you! I was actually looking at taking 79 down to 80 and then across towards Akron in an attempt to avoid as much lake effect as possible. Thanks for the links, I will definitely put them to use.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Thank you! I was actually looking at taking 79 down to 80 and then across towards Akron in an attempt to avoid as much lake effect as possible. Thanks for the links, I will definitely put them to use.

That is another idea. I take 79 into Waynesburg PA a lot and there is ALWAYS construction going on so be prepared.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Here is the latest weather advisor for us..

Also remember we are a very flat state so with the wind warnings make sure you are driving with both hands on the wheel!!!

Here is the latest from the National Weather Service in Cleveland

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
SATURDAY EVENING...

* ACCUMULATIONS....6 TO 10 INCHES WITH AMOUNTS IN EXCESS OF 15
INCHES POSSIBLE ACROSS NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA

* TIMING...LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.

* WINDS...WEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH.

* IMPACTS...SEVERAL INCHES OF SNOW ARE POSSIBLE FRIDAY THROUGH
SATURDAY NIGHT AS A STORM SYSTEM MOVES THROUGH THE REGION. IN
ADDITION STRONG GUSTY WINDS WILL CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF
THE SNOW.

* TEMPERATURES...FALLING INTO THE 30S TONIGHT THEN DIPPING TO THE
20S BY FRIDAY EVENING.

* VISIBILITIES...VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED IN SNOW AND
BLOWING SNOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THAT HEAVY SNOW IS POSSIBLE. IF YOU
ARE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...REMAIN ALERT TO RAPIDLY CHANGING
WEATHER CONDITIONS. STAY TUNED TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OR
THE LOCAL NEWS MEDIA FOR THE LATEST UPDATES AND POSSIBLE
WARNINGS.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would HIGHLY suggest not taking the Cleveland route. The weatherman just said by 7 p.m on Friday there will be blizzard conditions in the snowbelt area which is where I 90 runs through. They are now saying 15" for the snowbelt. And if you are leaving the Buffalo area at 2 p.m that will put you right in the heart of the storm here in Ohio.

Glad I am on the other side of Cleveland and should only be dealing with a few inches compared to 15"

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

I would HIGHLY suggest not taking the Cleveland route. The weatherman just said by 7 p.m on Friday there will be blizzard conditions in the snowbelt area which is where I 90 runs through. They are now saying 15" for the snowbelt. And if you are leaving the Buffalo area at 2 p.m that will put you right in the heart of the storm here in Ohio.

Glad I am on the other side of Cleveland and should only be dealing with a few inches compared to 15"

Thanks for the update! I'm looking at a number of route alternatives.