An area of strong low pressure moved northeast up the Ohio Valley spreading heavy, wet snow across the region.  The snow spread from southwest to northeast across northern Ohio during the early morning hours of March 16th and continued through the early evening hours.  At most locations, the heaviest snow fell during the morning and early afternoon hours when visibilities were reduced to near zero at times.  Accumulations ranged from around 6 inches along and just west of Interstate 71 to more than 9 inches over much of Summit, Wayne and Portage counties.   Late in the afternoon, winds switched from the east and northeast to north.  This allowed Lake Erie to enhance the snowfall falling along the south shore of the lake.   Whiteout conditions occurred in the Cleveland area during the afternoon rush hour.  The lake enhancement pushed snowfall totals to over 10 inches in extreme northeastern Ohio.  Officially, a total of 7.1 inches of snow was reported at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport with 6.4 inches at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.  The heavy nature of the snow and gusty winds combined to cause very treacherous driving conditions.  Significant travel delays and hundreds of accidents were reported.

Heavy Snow in KNOX, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 250K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in CUYAHOGA, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 250K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in WAYNE, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 250K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in SUMMIT, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 250K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in TRUMBULL, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 250K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in LAKE, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 150K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in LORAIN, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 150K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in MAHONING, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 300K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in GEAUGA, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 200K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in HOLMES, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 250K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in RICHLAND, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 200K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in ASHLAND, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 150K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in ASHTABULA, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 250K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in MEDINA, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 150K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in PORTAGE, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 150K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in STARK, OHIO
From 16-MAR-04 01:30:00 to 16-MAR-04 22:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 300K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER