Ohio, 2008

Winter Storm in Ohio, March 4 to 7, 2008

March 4 to 7, 2008 · NWS CLE · 27 events in 27 counties and zones

During the early morning hours of March 4th, low pressure was located over the lower Mississippi Valley. Precipitation began spreading into the area during the early morning hours of the 4th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 27 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$28 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
27

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS CLE wrote it up.

During the early morning hours of March 4th, low pressure was located over the lower Mississippi Valley. Precipitation began spreading into the area during the early morning hours of the 4th. Most locations across the area had surface temperatures at or just below freezing. In contrast, air aloft over the region was above freezing causing precipitation to be mainly in the form of freezing rain. Temperatures through the day didn't rise very much. The freezing rain tapered off in some locations in northern Ohio during the early afternoon. Across far northeast Ohio surface temperatures did rise a little above freezing allowing for a period of just rain during the afternoon hours. As the late afternoon hours approached, freezing rain picked up again and areas seeing just rain saw a change over back to freezing rain. Around sunset the freezing rain began to quickly freeze on roadways. In a short period of time numerous accidents were reported. Also during the evening the freezing rain was actually moderate to heavy at times as trained spotters reported thunder throughout northern Ohio. As the evening progressed colder air aloft built over the area allowing for freezing rain to turn to sleet and back over to snow late on the 4th and into the overnight hours into the 5th.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Cleveland, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 4, 3:49 AM EST, 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 4, 3:49 AM EST, 11 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
349 AM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

.SYNOPSIS...
LOW PRESSURE FROM THE TENNESSEE VALLEY WILL TRACK NORTHEAST ACROSS
THE OHIO VALLEY BY THIS EVENING AND ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ON
WEDNESDAY. THIS WILL KEEP MOST OF THE AREA ON THE COLD SIDE OF THE
STORM SYSTEM WITH A WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION. A CLIPPER LOW
PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL CROSS THE LOWER GREAT LAKES EARLY THURSDAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
PCPN SHIELD MOVG EAST ABOUT 15 MPH. THE LAST COUPLE OF HOURS WILL
LIKELY CHANGE TO A LITTLE WET SNOW...AT LEAST ACROSS THE NORTHERN
COUNTIES. A LITTLE FREEZING RAIN ALSO POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY FARTHER
SOUTH BUT TEMPERATURES WILL BE MARGINAL. RAIN AMOUNTS WILL LIKELY
END UP NEAR A HALF AN INCH WITH SOUTHERN COUNTIES PERHAPS
APPROACHING THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH THIS MORNING. NOT ENOUGH FOR
RAPID RISES OF WATER BUT AFTER A WET FEBRUARY AND SNOWMELT ENOUGH
FOR STREAMS AND CREEKS TO REACH BANK FULL OR TO GRADUALLY GO INTO
FLOOD. WILL BE ABLE TO SHAVE OFF SOME NORTHWEST OHIO COUNTIES OUT OF
THE FLOOD WATCH AS PCPN FROM THIS POINT ON WILL BE FREEZING OR
FROZEN. THE BULK OF THE PCPN SHOULD TAPER OFF THIS MORNING...
ALTHOUGH I THINK SOME LIGHT PCPN WILL CONTINUE MAINLY ACROSS THE
SOUTHEASTERN COUNTIES (MOUNT VERNON TO YTOWN) BECAUSE OF THE
RELATIVE POSITION OF THE FRONT (WHICH IS BECOMING STATIONARY) AND
APPROACHING LOW AND CONTINUED ISENTROPIC LIFT.

LOW SEEMS DESTINED TO PUSH NNE INTO OHIO VALLEY AND THEN REDEVELOP
EASTWARD. TIMING SEEMS TO BE GOOD INITIALLY TO MINIMIZE ICE THREAT
AS TEMPS WILL NOT BE FAR FROM FREEZING AND WITH THE HIGH SUN ANGLE
THIS TIME OF YEAR I DOUBT WE WOULD SEE A HARD FREEZE/GLAZE DURING
THE DAYLIGHT HOURS...NONETHELESS THERE IS A ZONE FROM FINDLAY AND
MARION ACROSS MANSFIELD TO THE NORWALK LORAIN CLEVELAND AREA AND
ALONG THE EAST LAKESHORE TO ERIE PA WHICH SEEMINGLY WILL BE AT RISK
FOR A  PROLONGED PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN/ICE. FREEZING RAIN THAT
FALLS AFTER DARK WILL HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF FREEZING ON MOST
SURFACES...BUT MODELS ARE HINTING THAT A DRY SLOT WILL TRY TO PUSH
NORTH EARLY TNGT AND PCPN COULD TAPER OFF OR AT LEAST BECOME
LIGHTER. ALSO...WITH A CONSIDERABLE WARM LAYER ALOFT THE RAINDROPS
WILL HAVE RELATIVELY WARM TEMPERATURE THUS REDUCING THE ABILITY FOR
A QUICK/HARD FREEZE. AREAS THAT HOLD ONTO A NORTHEAST WIND TODAY
HAVE LITTLE HOPE FOR TEMPS TO RECOVER MUCH ESPECIALLY AFTER PCPN
REDEVELOPS. TEMPS COULD DRIFT UP A DEGREE OR TWO TODAY IF THERE IS A
LULL IN THE PCPN. GFS MOS GUIDANCE TEMPS CONTINUE TO BE A LITTLE TOO
WARM... WHILE THE ETA MOS GUIDANCE TEMPS SEEM A LITTLE COLD. GIVEN
THE UNCERTAINTY IN TEMPS AND PCPN AMOUNT WILL CONTINUE WITH THE
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY...DAY SHIFT WILL HAVE A BETTER LOOK AT
APPROACHING LOW AND BE ABLE TO MAKE THE CALL IF AN UPGRADE TO WINTER
STORM/ICE STORM WARNING IS NEEDED. NW OHIO HAS THE BEST CHANCE FOR
SLEET AND PERHAPS A LITTLE SNOW AS AFTERNOON/EVENING PCPN
REDEVELOPS. EVERYONE ELSE WILL HAVE RAIN/FZRA.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY/...
AS COLDER AIR WRAPS IN TONIGHT THE FREEZING RAIN AND RAIN WILL
CHANGE TO SNOW. A PERIOD OF SLEET POSSIBLE IN THE TRANSITION. SNOW
AMOUNTS SHOULD BE LIGHT EXCEPT FOR NW OHIO WHERE SLEET AND SNOW WILL
MIX IN QUICKER AND IN FACT COULD BE THE DOMINANT FORM OF PCPN DURING
THE EVENING. COULD BE A SLIPPERY EVENING ACROSS NW OHIO WITH MANY
VARIETIES OF WINTER PCPN. TEMPS MAY TRY TO RISE A DEGREE OR TWO THIS
EVENING ACROSS THE COUNTIES FROM THE I-77 CORRIDOR EAST...THEN START
TO FALL. GFS TEMP GUIDANCE SEEMS REASONABLE TNGT EXCEPT MAY GO A
COUPLE OF DEGREES COLDER NW OHIO.

SOME LEFTOVER SNOW/SNOW SHOWERS TOMORROW...MAINLY NE OH/NW PA EARLY.
SOME BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS MAY DEVELOP WED AFTRN. MAX TEMP FCST WILL
BE A CATEGORY BELOW GUIDANCE AS COLD ADVECTION WILL CONTINUE EARLY
IN THE DAY. WEAK CLIPPER STILL ON TRACK FOR THURSDAY. MOISTURE WILL
BE LIMITED BUT PROBABLY JUST ENOUGH LOW LEVEL JET AND UPWARD MOTION
FOR SOME SNOW SHOWERS TO BREAK OUT. A FEW RAIN SHOWERS ALSO POSSIBLE
AS BOUNDARY LAYER TEMPS RECOVER.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH THURSDAY AND AT THE MOMENT THE
DGEX/GFS/ECMWF AGREE IN KEEPING IT COLD ENOUGH FOR JUST SNOW
SHOWERS HOWEVER THERE ARE QUESTIONS. THE DGEX COOLS IT OFF WAY TOO
MUCH THURSDAY NIGHT. OTHERWISE SOME SNOW SHOWERS LINGER BEHIND THE
FRONT AS 850 MB TEMPERATURES DROP TO -13C BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON. A
TROF MAY SWING THROUGH ON FRIDAY ENHANCING THE SNOWFALL OVER THE
ENTIRE FORECAST AREA.

HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS IN SATURDAY ALL MODELS IN AGREEMENT. HIGH
PRESSURE CONTINUES IT INFLUENCE SUNDAY AND THEN MONDAY A THREAT OF
PRECIPITATION MONDAY AS ANOTHER FRONT MOVES IN.

DID A COMBINATION OF GUIDANCE FOR THE HIGHS AND LOWS.

&&

.AVIATION /09Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
COLD FRONT HAS MOVED EAST OF ALL TERMINALS AND WINDS HAVE BEGUN TO
COME AROUND OUT OF THE NORTHWEST. PRECIP CONTINUES AT ALL
SITES IN THE FORM OF RAIN EXCEPT TOL WHERE RAIN HAS TURNED TO
SNOW.

WILL MAKE SOME CHANGES TO THE PREVIOUS FORECAST AND FOLLOW THE GFS
THROUGH THE PERIOD SINCE IT HAS A GOOD HANDLE ON THE BACK EDGE OF
THE PRECIP. THROUGH 12Z...WILL TRY TO FORECAST A RAIN-TO-SNOW
TRANSITION AT ALL SITES AND LEAVE THE MAJORITY OF THE FREEZING
RAIN AND SLEET UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY. WHILE SOME SLEET WILL BE
POSSIBLE AT ALL SITES THROUGH 12Z...THINK THAT MOST SITES WILL
JUMP FROM RAIN TO SNOW FAIRLY QUICKLY.

AFTER 12Z...PRECIP WILL LIKELY BE IN THE FORM OF LIGHT SLEET AND
FREEZING RAIN EAST OF A CLE-MFD LINE. TOL AND FDY WILL ACTUALLY
TRY AND DRY OUT FOR A FEW HOURS TUESDAY MORNING AND REMAIN DRY FOR
THE MOST PART THROUGH MID DAY. IMPROVED CONDITIONS SLIGHTLY AT
THESE SITES AFTER 12Z BUT CONDITIONS WILL LIKELY REMAIN MVFR
THROUGH THE DAY. AFTER 18Z...ALL SITES WILL TRY AND DRY OUT FOR A
BRIEF TIME AND LIKEWISE IMPROVED CONDITIONS SLIGHTLY TO MVFR.
SECONDARY AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL MOVE UP THE OHIO VALLEY AND
BRING ADDITIONAL FREEZING RAIN AND RAIN TO ALL SITES LATE IN THE
AFTERNOON. CONDITIONS WILL LIKELY DROP BACK TO IFR LATE TOMORROW
AFTERNOON AND REMAIN AS SUCH THROUGH THE END OF THE PERIOD.

AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE PREVIOUS ISSUANCE...WILL CONTINUE TO
FORECAST SEVERAL HOURS OF RAIN AT CAK/YNG WHERE BOUNDARY LAYER
TEMPS WILL LIKELY RISE ABOVE FREEZING BY LATE MORNING. WILL KEEP
RAIN PREVAILING THROUGH THE END OF THE PERIOD AT THESE SITES.

.OUTLOOK...LOW PRESSURE WILL DEPART THE REGION TUESDAY NIGHT BUT
SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS WILL PREVAIL THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.
SOME IMPROVEMENT POSSIBLE DURING THE DAY ON WEDNESDAY AS A RIDGE
MOVES OVER THE OHIO VALLEY BUT A FAST MOVING CLIPPER WILL
APPROACH THE REGION THURSDAY MORNING. BRIEF REPRIEVE FRIDAY WITH
ANOTHER CLIPPER FORECAST ON SATURDAY.

&&

.MARINE...
NW FLOW WILL THEN COME AROUND TO THE NNE BY TUESDAY MORNING AS
LOW PRESSURE DEEPENS OVER WESTERN TN AND HIGH PRESSURE RESIDES TO
THE NORTH ACROSS ONTARIO. THE SOUTHERN LOW WILL TRACK SOUTHEAST OF
THE LAKE TUESDAY AND THEREFORE STRONGER NE WINDS WILL PERSIST FOR
THE DAY TUESDAY. STILL STAYING BELOW GALES BUT STILL LOOKS CLOSE.
WINDS SHIFT TO THE NORTHWEST TUESDAY NIGHT AS LOW PULLS AWAY. HIGH
PRESSURE FOR WEDNESDAY. CLIPPER CONTINUES TO BE ADVERTISED FOR
THURSDAY.

&&

.CLE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR OHZ009>014-017>023-
     027>033-036>038-047-089.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT FOR
     OHZ009>014-019-089.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT FOR
     OHZ020>023-027>033-036>038-047.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING FOR OHZ003-
     006>008-017-018.
PA...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR PAZ001>003.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT FOR
     PAZ001>003.
MARINE...GALE WARNING FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 4 AM EST WEDNESDAY FOR
     LEZ061-142>149-162>169.

&&

SYNOPSIS...DJB/KOSARIK
NEAR TERM...KOSARIK
SHORT TERM...KOSARIK
LONG TERM...OUDEMAN
AVIATION...LEINS
MARINE...OUDEMAN
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 3, 6:04 PM EST, 9 hours 56 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
604 PM EST MON MAR 3 2008

OHZ009>014-019-089-PAZ001>003-042315-
ERIE OH-LORAIN-CUYAHOGA-LAKE-GEAUGA-ASHTABULA INLAND-HURON-
ASHTABULA LAKESHORE-NORTHERN ERIE-SOUTHERN ERIE-CRAWFORD PA-
604 PM EST MON MAR 3 2008

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
MIDNIGHT EST TUESDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL
OHIO...NORTHEAST OHIO AND NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH
   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH
   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

OHZ020>023-027>033-036>038-047-042315-
MEDINA-SUMMIT-PORTAGE-TRUMBULL-WYANDOT-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-ASHLAND-
WAYNE-STARK-MAHONING-MARION-MORROW-HOLMES-KNOX-
604 PM EST MON MAR 3 2008

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TUESDAY TO MIDNIGHT
EST TUESDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL
OHIO...NORTHEAST OHIO AND NORTHWEST OHIO.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH
   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH
   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

OHZ003-006>008-017-018-042315-
LUCAS-WOOD-OTTAWA-SANDUSKY-HANCOCK-SENECA-
604 PM EST MON MAR 3 2008

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 7 PM
EST TUESDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWEST OHIO.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH
   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH
   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

LEZ061-142>149-162>169-042315-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM RIPLEY TO BUFFALO NY-
MAUMEE BAY TO RENO BEACH OH-RENO BEACH TO THE ISLANDS OH-
THE ISLANDS TO VERMILION OH-VERMILION TO AVON POINT OH-
AVON POINT TO WILLOWICK OH-WILLOWICK TO GENEVA-ON-THE LAKE OH-GENEVA-
ON-THE-LAKE TO CONNEAUT OH-CONNEAUT OH TO RIPLEY NY-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM MAUMEE BAY TO RENO BEACH-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM RENO BEACH TO THE ISLANDS-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM THE ISLANDS TO VERMILION-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM VERMILION TO AVON POINT-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM AVON POINT TO WILLOWICK-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM WILLOWICK TO GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE TO CONNEAUT-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM CONNEAUT OH TO RIPLEY NY-
604 PM EST MON MAR 3 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR LAKE ERIE.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

27 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Richland

When
March 4, 4:00 AM EST to March 5, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Richland forecast zone
Property damage
$750,000
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
40.775, -82.536 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began just before dawn on March 4th. The freezing rain continued into the evening hours with a brief lull during the early afternoon hours. Thunder and lightning were reported during the late afternoon hours and conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening with over half an inch of ice accumulation on trees and power poles. The freezing rain eventually changed to light snow just after midnight on the 5th. The snow finally ended around daybreak on the 5th. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. Many trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well. Officially, 1.10 inches of precipitation, most of it in the form of freezing rain, were reported at Mansfield Lahm Airport.

Winter Storm, Morrow

When
March 4, 4:00 AM EST to March 5, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Morrow forecast zone
Property damage
$300,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.524, -82.794 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began in Morrow County before daybreak on March 4th. The freezing rain continued into the evening hours with a brief lull during the early afternoon hours. Thunder and lightning were reported during the late afternoon hours and conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening with up to a half inch of ice accumulation for the entire storm. The freezing rain eventually changed to light snow just after midnight on the 5th. The snow finally ended around daybreak on the 5th. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. Several reports of downed trees and limbs were received.

Winter Storm, Knox

When
March 4, 4:00 AM EST to March 5, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Knox forecast zone
Property damage
$400,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.399, -82.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began in Know County before daybreak on March 4th. The freezing rain continued into the evening hours with a brief lull during the early afternoon hours. Thunder and lightning were reported during the late afternoon hours and conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported by early evening with up to a half inch of accumulation for the entire storm. The freezing rain eventually changed to light snow just after midnight on the 5th. The snow finally ended around daybreak on the 5th. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. Many trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Winter Storm, Trumbull

When
March 4, 4:00 AM EST to March 5, 9:00 AM EST
Where
Trumbull forecast zone
Property damage
$1.0 million
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
41.317, -80.761 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began in Trumbull County during the early morning hours of March 4th. This activity continued through late afternoon when temperatures warmed enough for a transition to rain. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees and the rain changed back to freezing rain. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening. By the time the freezing rain changed to a mixture of light snow and sleet around midnight on the 5th, as much as one half inch of ice had accumulated on portions of the county. Scattered power outages occurred, especially across the northern half of the county as a result of the freezing rain. Extensive tree damage was reported in the county as well. Many accidents were reported during this event.

Winter Storm, Mahoning

When
March 4, 4:00 AM EST to March 5, 9:00 AM EST
Where
Mahoning forecast zone
Property damage
$600,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.015, -80.776 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began in Mahoning County during the early morning hours of March 4th. This activity continued through mid afternoon when temperatures warmed enough for a transition to rain. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees and the rain changed back to freezing rain. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening. By the time the freezing rain changed to a mixture of light snow and sleet around midnight on the 5th, between one quarter and one half inch of ice had accumulated on much of the county. A few power outages were reported across the county. Trees and limbs were downed throughout the county. Many accidents were reported during this event.

Winter Storm, Holmes

When
March 4, 5:00 AM EST to March 7, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Holmes forecast zone
Property damage
$250,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.561, -81.929 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began during the predawn hours of March 4th. The freezing rain continued into the evening hours with a brief lull during the early afternoon hours. Thunder and lightning were reported during the late afternoon hours and conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported by early evening. The freezing rain eventually changed to light snow just after midnight on the 5th. The snow finally ended around daybreak on the 5th. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. A few trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Winter Storm, Ashland

When
March 4, 5:00 AM EST to March 5, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Ashland forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.846, -82.271 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began in Ashland County just before dawn on March 4th. The freezing rain continued into the evening hours with a brief lull during the early afternoon hours. Thunder and lightning were reported during the late afternoon hours and conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported by early evening with up to a half inch of accumulation for the entire storm. The freezing rain eventually changed to light snow just after midnight on the 5th. The snow finally ended around daybreak on the 5th. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. Many trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Winter Storm, Medina

When
March 4, 5:00 AM EST to March 5, 9:00 AM EST
Where
Medina forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.118, -81.900 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mixture of sleet and snow began in Medina County a couple hours before daybreak on March 4th. This mixture changed to freezing rain around daybreak which then continued through the evening hours. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening with over half an inch of ice accumulation on trees and power poles. Thunder and lightning were reported around 7 pm. The freezing rain ended just before midnight on the 5th with light snow developing during the early morning hours of the 5th. The snow tapered to flurries during the morning hours of the 5th after an inch or two of accumulation. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. A few trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Winter Storm, Lorain

When
March 4, 5:00 AM EST to March 5, 8:00 AM EST
Where
Lorain forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.453, -82.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mixture of sleet and snow began in Lorain County just before dawn on March 4th. This mixture changed to freezing rain around daybreak which then continued through the evening hours. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening with over half an inch of ice accumulation on trees and power poles. Thunder and lightning were reported between 6 and 7 pm. The freezing rain ended just before midnight on the 5th with light snow developing during the early morning hours of the 5th. The snow tapered to flurries during the morning hours of the 5th after an inch or two of accumulation. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. A few trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Winter Storm, Cuyahoga

When
March 4, 5:00 AM EST to March 5, 9:00 AM EST
Where
Cuyahoga forecast zone
Property damage
$750,000
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
41.479, -81.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mixture of sleet and snow began in Cuyahoga County a couple hours before daybreak on March 4th. This mixture changed to freezing rain around daybreak which then continued through the evening hours. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening with over half an inch of ice accumulation on trees and power poles. Thunder and lightning were reported around 7 pm. The freezing rain ended just before midnight on the 5th with light snow developing during the early morning hours of the 5th. The snow tapered to flurries during the morning hours of the 5th after one to three inches of accumulation. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. A few trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well. Officially, 0.97 inches of precipitation, most of it freezing rain, fell at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on the 4th and 5th. In addition, 1.5 inches of snow fell early on the 4th with another 2.9 inches on the 5th.

Winter Storm, Lake

When
March 4, 5:00 AM EST to March 5, 9:00 AM EST
Where
Lake forecast zone
Property damage
$7.5 million
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.714, -81.245 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mixture of sleet and snow began in Lake County before daybreak on March 4th. This mixture quickly changed to freezing rain which then continued into the early morning hours of March 5th. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening. By the time the freezing rain changed to light snow during the early morning hours of the 5th, as much as three quarters of an inch of ice had accumulated on parts of the county. Thunder and lightning were reported between 7 and 9 pm. The snow tapered to flurries during the morning hours of the 5th after an inch or two of accumulation. Widespread power outages occurred across Lake County as a result of the freezing rain. Some electric customers in Madison and Leroy Townships were without power for as much as four days. Extensive tree damage was reported in the county as well. Many accidents were reported during this event.

Winter Storm, Ashtabula Lakeshore

When
March 4, 5:00 AM EST to March 5, 9:00 AM EST
Where
Ashtabula Lakeshore forecast zone
Property damage
$2.5 million
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.896, -80.759 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mixture of sleet and snow began in Ashtabula County before daybreak on March 4th. This mixture quickly changed to freezing rain which then continued into the early morning hours of March 5th. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening. By the time the freezing rain changed to light snow during the early morning hours of the 5th, as much as three quarters of an inch of ice had accumulated on parts of the county. Thunder and lightning were reported between 7 and 9 pm. The snow tapered to flurries during the morning hours of the 5th after an inch or so of accumulation. Widespread power outages occurred across Ashtabula County as a result of the freezing rain. Some electric customers in the county were without power for as much as four days. Extensive tree damage was reported in the county as well. Many accidents were reported during this event.

Winter Storm, Ashtabula

When
March 4, 5:00 AM EST to March 5, 9:00 AM EST
Where
Ashtabula forecast zone
Property damage
$5.0 million
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.896, -80.759 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mixture of sleet and snow began in Ashtabula County before daybreak on March 4th. This mixture quickly changed to freezing rain which then continued into the early morning hours of March 5th. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening. By the time the freezing rain changed to light snow during the early morning hours of the 5th, as much as three quarters of an inch of ice had accumulated on parts of the county. Thunder and lightning were reported between 7 and 9 pm. The snow tapered to flurries during the morning hours of the 5th after an inch or so of accumulation. Widespread power outages occurred across Ashtabula County as a result of the freezing rain. Some electric customers in the county were without power for as much as four days. Extensive tree damage was reported in the county as well. Many accidents were reported during this event.

Winter Storm, Geauga

When
March 4, 5:00 AM EST to March 5, 9:00 AM EST
Where
Geauga forecast zone
Property damage
$2.0 million
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.500, -81.179 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mixture of sleet and snow began in Geauga County before daybreak on March 4th. This mixture changed to freezing rain by midday and then continued into the early morning hours of March 5th. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening. By the time the freezing rain changed to light snow during the early morning hours of the 5th, between one half and three quarters of an inch of ice had accumulated on parts of the county. Thunder and lightning were reported between 7 and 9 pm. The snow tapered to flurries during the morning hours of the 5th after an inch or two of accumulation. Scattered power outages occurred across the county as a result of the freezing rain. Some electric customers in the county were without power for as much as three days. Extensive tree damage was reported in the county as well. Many accidents were reported during this event.

Winter Storm, Portage

When
March 4, 5:00 AM EST to March 5, 8:00 AM EST
Where
Portage forecast zone
Property damage
$750,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.168, -81.197 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began in Portage County during the early morning hours of March 4th. This activity continued through late afternoon when temperatures warmed enough for a transition to rain. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees and the rain changed back to freezing rain. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening. By the time the freezing rain changed to a mixture of light snow and sleet around midnight on the 5th, as much as one half inch of ice had accumulated on portions of the county. Scattered power outages occurred, especially across the northern half of the county as a result of the freezing rain. Trees and limbs were reported down throughout the county as well. Many accidents were reported during this event.

Winter Storm, Stark

When
March 4, 6:00 AM EST to March 5, 8:00 AM EST
Where
Stark forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.814, -81.366 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began in Stark County just before dawn on March 4th. The freezing rain continued through the evening hours with a brief lull during the afternoon. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening with over half an inch of ice accumulation on trees and power poles. The freezing rain eventually changed to light snow during the early morning hours of the 5th. The snow tapered to flurries just after daybreak on the 5th after about an inch of accumulation. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. Trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Winter Storm, Marion

When
March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 5, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Marion forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
40.587, -83.161 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began across the area during the morning hours of the 4th. As the day progressed, freezing rain was moderate to heavy at times, but with temperatures just slightly below freezing roadways were able to stay mainly wet. Other objects across the area were able to collect a solid coating of ice. The moderate freezing rain continued into the evening, and even a thunderstorm was observed for a brief period during the evening hours. Between a quarter and half inch of ice accumulated across the area, and numerous trees and power lines were reported down across the area. Many accidents were also reported. The freezing rain eventually changed over to a period of snow through the overnight hours into the 5th.

Winter Storm, Crawford

When
March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 5, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Crawford forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.851, -82.920 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began around dawn on March 4th. The freezing rain continued into the evening hours with a brief lull during the early afternoon hours. Thunder and lightning were reported during the late afternoon hours and conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported by early evening with up to a half inch of accumulation for the entire storm. The freezing rain eventually changed to light snow just after midnight on the 5th. The snow finally ended around daybreak on the 5th. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. Many trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Winter Storm, Wayne

When
March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 5, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Wayne forecast zone
Property damage
$400,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.829, -81.888 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began in Wayne County during the morning hours of March 4th. The freezing rain continued into the evening hours with a brief lull during the early afternoon hours. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported by early evening with up to a half inch of accumulation for the entire event. The precipitation eventually changed to light snow around midnight on the 5th. The snow finally ended around daybreak on the 5th. Many accidents and a few power outages were reported during this event. Some trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Winter Storm, Summit

When
March 4, 7:00 AM EST to March 5, 8:00 AM EST
Where
Summit forecast zone
Property damage
$750,000
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
41.126, -81.532 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began in Summit County just before dawn on March 4th. The freezing rain continued through the evening hours with a brief lull during the afternoon and another around midnight on the 5th. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening with over half an inch of ice accumulation on trees and power poles. The freezing rain eventually changed to light snow during the early morning hours of the 5th. The snow tapered to flurries just after daybreak on the 5th after about an inch of accumulation. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. A few trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well. Officially, 1.40 inches of precipitation was recorded at the Akron-Canton Airport on March 4th and 5th. Most of this fell as freezing rain with 1.1 inches of snow measured on the 5th.

Winter Storm, Huron

When
March 4, 9:00 AM EST to March 5, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Huron forecast zone
Property damage
$250,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.146, -82.598 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began during the morning hours of March 4th. The freezing rain continued into the evening hours with a brief lull during the early afternoon hours. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported by early evening. The freezing rain changed to sleet for a time during the evening and spotters in Norwalk reported between one and two inches of sleet accumulation. The precipitation eventually changed to light snow around midnight on the 5th. The snow finally ended around daybreak on the 5th. Many accidents and a few power outages were reported during this event. Some trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Winter Storm, Erie

When
March 4, 12:00 PM EST to March 5, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Erie forecast zone
Property damage
$200,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.432, -82.700 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain began in Erie County late in the morning on March 4th. The freezing rain continued into the evening hours with a brief lull during the early afternoon hours. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported by early evening. The freezing rain changed to sleet for a time during the evening with some sleet accumulation reported. The precipitation eventually changed to light snow around midnight on the 5th. The snow finally ended around daybreak on the 5th. Many accidents and a few power outages were reported during this event. A few trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Winter Storm, Seneca

When
March 4, 1:00 PM EST to March 5, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Seneca forecast zone
Property damage
$300,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.124, -83.128 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mixed precipitation began during the midday hours of the 4th and continued through the afternoon. Sleet and freezing rain gradually changed back to all snow before ending during the early morning hours of the 5th. At least a quarter inch of ice was reported across the county. Numerous accidents were reported across the area, especially during the evening hours of the 4th.

Winter Storm, Hancock

When
March 4, 1:00 PM EST to March 5, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Hancock forecast zone
Property damage
$600,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.002, -83.666 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mixed precipitation began during the midday hours of the 4th and continued through the afternoon. Sleet and freezing rain gradually changed back to all snow before ending during the early morning hours of the 5th. At least a quarter inch of ice was reported across the county. Numerous accidents were reported across the area, especially during the evening hours of the 4th.

Winter Storm, Wyandot

When
March 4, 1:00 PM EST to March 5, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Wyandot forecast zone
Property damage
$300,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.842, -83.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mixed precipitation began during the midday hours of the 4th and continued through the afternoon. Sleet and freezing rain gradually changed back to all snow before ending during the early morning hours of the 5th. At least a quarter inch of ice was reported across the county. Numerous accidents were reported across the area, especially during the evening hours of the 4th.

Winter Storm, Wood

When
March 4, 3:00 PM EST to March 5, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Wood forecast zone
Property damage
$300,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.362, -83.623 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow began during the afternoon hours of the 4th. The snow gradually changed over to freezing rain in the afternoon and continued for several hours into the evening. Freezing rain changed back to snow before ending during the overnight hours into the 5th. Around a quarter inch of ice accumulated in just a few hours time during the evening hours of the 4th. Three tenths of an inch of ice was measured by a trained spotter in Bowling Green. Many accidents were reported across the area.

Winter Storm, Sandusky

When
March 4, 3:00 PM EST to March 5, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Sandusky forecast zone
Property damage
$400,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.357, -83.144 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow began during the afternoon hours of the 4th but then quickly changed over to sleet and freezing rain. Sleet and freezing rain continued through the evening, and around sunset a report was received of heavy icing across the county with heavy sleet in Clyde. A level one weather emergency was declared in the county. At least a quarter inch of ice was reported across the county, and trained spotters reported around a half inch of sleet and snow in Fremont and Oak Harbor. Numerous accidents were reported especially during the evening hours. The precipitation changed back to snow through the overnight hours into the 5th, and by morning trained spotters reported between 2.0 and 4.0 inches across the county.

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Ohio in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, March 2008

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 90414, 90423, 90425, 90734, 90778, 90429, 90430, 90699, 90700, 90704, 90717, 90722, 90723, 90727, 90765, 90692, 89837, 90419, 90488, 90693, 90479, 90485, 89793, 89818, 89820, 89790, 89791.