Winter's last gasp — or spring's first blast — has taken hold of the Toledo area.
Snow started falling around 6 p.m. Friday, roughly an hour before a winter weather advisory from the National Weather Service office in Cleveland went into effect. The advisory is scheduled to expire at 10 a.m. Saturday, and by that time, the Toledo region could have several inches of snow on the ground.
Jay Berschback, chief meteorogist for WTVG-TV Channel 13, said late tonight the heaviest snowfall would be from around 11 p.m. until 3 or 4 a.m. Saturday. He projected snow totals in the area to be 2 to 4 inches with some spots topping 5 inches.
Pavement was just wet through late evening in most places, sheriff’s deputies across northwest Ohio reported. Several vehicles slid off roadways in Ottawa and Wood counties, but there were no injuries.
During the morning Saturday, the weather service said there is a chance of snow showers that could mix with rain before ending in the early afternoon. Another 1 to 2 inches of snow is possible. By Saturday night, it could be mostly cloudy with a low of 23 degrees and light southeast wind.
On Sunday, the weather service is calling for a chance of snow showers before noon with high around 46 and wind from the south at 10 to 20 mph. An additional 1 to 2 inches of snow could fall.
Mr. Berschback said snow will start melting late Sunday into Monday. Starting Tuesday, he said, expect to see a nice stretch of dry and mild weather with temperatures in the 50s.
"The light at the end of the tunnel," Mr. Berschback said late tonight.
The weekend's wintry mix may affect the remainder of the Mud Hens' season-opening series at Fifth Third Field, and has already caused the cancellation of an event at the University of Toledo.
Friday's baseball game between Toledo and Louisville was postponed. The first pitch for Saturday's game is scheduled for 5:05 p.m., and a doubleheader is on tap for Sunday starting at 1:05 p.m.
Saturday morning’s scheduled Color Run at the University of Toledo was postponed late tonight because of the inclement weather.
“The safety of our participants and staff members is our [No. 1] priority, followed by our strong desire to have each of you experience The Happiest 5K on the Planet,” Color Run organizers said in a statement distributed by the school late Friday night. “Unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating to make either of those happen. Working closely with city and venue officials, we have made the decision to postpone The Color Run Toledo.”
A makeup date has not been scheduled.
First Published April 8, 2016, 7:19 p.m.
