Lake-Effect Snow in Ohio, November 29 to 30, 2024

A prolonged, crippling, and in some places historic lake effect event took place across the Northeast Ohio snowbelt to end November and start December in 2024. The event ramped up overnight November 28th and 29th as a band of very heavy snow with snow rates up to 3 inches per hour took shape on a westerly wind. Snow rates briefly diminished during the afternoon on November 29th as winds shifted a bit more southwesterly. Winds turned more westerly during the evening, directing intense bands with snow rates to 2 inches per hour back into the area. Lake effect snow lifted northeast and out of the area into the day on November 30th as winds shifted southwest. This provided a 12 to 24 hour break in the snow before activity returned December 1st. The first portion of this event led to significant impacts across extreme northeastern Ohio. I-90 was closed for nearly a day across parts of Ashtabula County, with many other roads experiencing difficult to impassible conditions, particularly overnight November 29th into November 30th. Many accidents were reported and some cars became stranded in the snow. The Ashtabula County sheriff closed all roadways in the northern portion of the county to non-essential travel early in the morning on November 30th. Ashtabula County, along with some municipalities, declared a state of emergency due to the snow event. The heavy weight of the snow caused some tree and vegetation damage, with some structural damage such as roof collapses also noted. Peak totals from November 29th and 30th included spotter reports of 40.5 inches in Saybrook, 39 inches in Ashtabula, 34 inches in Conneaut, 33.2 inches in Edgewood and 32 inches in Geneva. There were multiple reports from the general public of 40 inches of snow in North Kingsville as well.

A prolonged, crippling, and in some places historic lake effect event took place across the Northeast Ohio snowbelt to end November and start December in 2024. The event ramped up overnight November 28th and 29th as a band of very heavy snow with snow rates up to 3 inches per hour took shape on a westerly wind. Snow rates briefly diminished during the afternoon on November 29th as winds shifted a bit more southwesterly. Winds turned more westerly during the evening, directing intense bands with snow rates to 2 inches per hour back into the area. Lake effect snow lifted northeast and out of the area into the day on November 30th as winds shifted southwest. This provided a 12 to 24 hour break in the snow before activity returned December 1st. The first portion of this event led to significant impacts across extreme northeastern Ohio. I-90 was closed for nearly a day across parts of Ashtabula County, with many other roads experiencing difficult to impassible conditions, particularly overnight November 29th into November 30th. Many accidents were reported and some cars became stranded in the snow. The Ashtabula County sheriff closed all roadways in the northern half of the county to non-essential travel early in the morning on November 30th. Ashtabula County, along with some municipalities, declared a state of emergency due to the snow event. The heavy weight of the snow caused some tree and vegetation damage, with some structural damage such as roof collapses also noted. The heaviest snow focused on the northern third of Ashtabula County. Peak totals from November 29th and 30th included spotter reports of 29.5 inches in Sheffield Township, 27 inches in Monroe Center, 21 inches in Jefferson, 20.4 inches in Harpersfield Township and 19.9 inches in Rock Creek Township.

A prolonged, crippling, and in some places historic lake effect event took place across the Northeast Ohio snowbelt to end November and start December in 2024. The event ramped up overnight November 28th and 29th as a band of very heavy snow with snow rates up to 2 inches per hour took shape on a westerly wind. Snow rates diminished during the day on November 29th as winds shifted a bit more southwesterly. Winds turned more westerly during the evening, directing intense bands with snow rates to 2 inches per hour back into the area, particularly eastern portions of Lake County. Lake effect snow lifted northeast and out of the area into the day on November 30th as winds shifted southwest. This provided a nearly 24 hour break in the snow before activity returned December 1st. The first portion of this event led to significant impacts across extreme northeastern Ohio. Many other roads experienced difficult to impassible conditions, particularly overnight November 29th into November 30th. Many accidents were reported. The heaviest snow focused on the eastern third of Lake County. Peak totals from November 29th and 30th included spotter reports of 24.5 inches in North Madison and 6.7 inches in Mentor-on-the-Lake. Reports from the public included 24 inches in Madison, 20 inches in Perry, and 19 inches in Painesville.

A prolonged lake effect snow event took place across the Northeast Ohio snowbelt to end November and start December in 2024. The event ramped up overnight November 28th and 29th as a band of very heavy snow with snow rates up to 2 inches per hour took shape on a westerly wind across northern Geauga County. Snow rates diminished during the day on November 29th as winds shifted a bit more southwesterly. Winds turned more westerly during the evening, directing intense bands with snow rates to 2 inches per hour back into far northern Geauga County. Lake effect snow lifted northeast and out of the area into the day on November 30th as winds shifted southwest. This provided a 24-36 hour break in the snow before activity returned December 1st. Poor road conditions and low visibility made travel difficult within lake effect snow bands. The heaviest snow focused on the northern quarter of Geauga County, with a quick decrease farther south across the rest of the county. A CoCoRaHS observer measured 18 inches of snow in Thompson, while a trained spotter recorded 10 inches in Montville.