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.

Winter Storm in STARK, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 06:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in HOLMES, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 05:00:00 to 07-MAR-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in MARION, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 07:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

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 in CUYAHOGA, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 05:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

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 in SUMMIT, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 07:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

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 in KNOX, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 04:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in HURON, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 09:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in MEDINA, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 05:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in MAHONING, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 04:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 600.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in WOOD, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 15:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in WAYNE, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 07:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in ASHLAND, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 05:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in ERIE, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 12:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in LORAIN, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 05:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in ASHTABULA LAKESHORE, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 05:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

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 in CRAWFORD, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 07:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in PORTAGE, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 05:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in WYANDOT, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 13:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in TRUMBULL, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 04:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

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 in HANCOCK, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 13:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 600.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in LAKE, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 05:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 7.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in RICHLAND, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 04:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

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 in GEAUGA, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 05:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in SANDUSKY, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 15:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

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.

Winter Storm in ASHTABULA, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 05:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

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 in SENECA, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 13:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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 in MORROW, OHIO
From 04-MAR-08 04:00:00 to 05-MAR-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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.