Full Notification

...Winter Storm to Bring Widespread Snow Tonight Before Transitioning to Lake Effect Snow... .A strong cold front will move across the region today and slow near the Ohio/Pennsylvania border. Rain will transition over to snow this afternoon and evening as colder air aloft arrives behind the front. A brief window of a wintry mix is possible with this transition. Meanwhile, a new low pressure system will develop across the Southeast and move north towards the Mid- Atlantic, providing additional support for snow tonight. Most of the synoptic snow will fall from around sunset through about daybreak on Friday. As this low departs, snow will transition to lake effect snow on Friday across Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania. Lake effect snow bands will begin fairly scattered before intensifying through Christmas day and continue into Saturday. The best snow accumulations for lake effect at this time appear to be near the lakeshore. Westerly winds with gusts to 30 mph may allow for blowing snow, which could significantly reduce visibility and could cause drifting on north-south roadways. The strongest winds will be closest to Lake Erie. Temperatures will quickly fall into the 20s tonight behind the cold front.

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches.

* WHERE...Summit, Portage, Trumbull, Stark and Mahoning counties.

* WHEN...Snow will develop toward dark and become heavy this evening. Snow will diminish Christmas morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact holiday travelers across the region.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

* AFFECTED AREAS: TRUMBULL ... MAHONING ... PORTAGE ... SUMMIT ... STARK

Instructions:

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.