National Weather Service posts blizzard warning east and south of Toledo
12/25/2012The National Weather Service has posted a blizzard warning for numerous counties east and south of Toledo in anticipation of severe conditions during a winter storm expected to reach the region Wednesday morning.
The blizzard warning means forecasters expect a combination of heavy snow and high wind in the warned area, which includes Ottawa, Sandusky, Erie, Hancock, Seneca, Huron, and Wyandot counties. Eight to 10 inches of snow and wind gusts of 35 mph are predicted in that area between 7 a.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday.
The weather service urged people to avoid travel during that time, and for those intending to travel anyway to carry winter survival kits, including blankets, food, and water, in their vehicles and to stay with those vehicles if they become stranded.
Similar weather, but with slightly lower snow totals and wind gusts, is forecast Wednesday for Lucas and other counties immediately north and west of the blizzard-warning area. A Winter Storm Warning is posted for Lucas, Wood, Fulton, Henry, Williams, Defiance, Putnam, Paulding, and Van Wert counties, as well as parts of northeast Indiana.
Lesser snow amounts are expected in southeast Michigan.
The storm is expected to advance from southwest to northeast during the day Wednesday, with snow tapering off in northwest Ohio Wednesday evening after being heaviest from mid-morning through the afternoon.