A very deep area of low pressure passed to the north of Lake Erie during the morning hours of January 12th.  Snow associated with this low began during the late evening hours of the 11th and then transitioned to lake effect snow on the 12th as cold northwest winds on the backside of the low interacted with Lake Erie.  The snow showers intensified during the afternoon of the 12th with snowfall rates in excess of an inch per hour at times.  The snow began to diminish during the late evening hours of the 12th and finally ended during the morning of the 13th.  Strong westerly winds accompanied the snow on the 12th causing much blowing and drifting and whiteout conditions at times.   Peak wind gusts approached 40 mph and sustained winds most of this event were between 15 and 25 mph.  A swath of heavy snow was reported from northern Geauga County across Ashtabula County and into northwestern Pennsylvania.  Lesser amounts of snow fell closer to the lake.   Although the strong winds made measuring snow difficult, storm totals of 6 to 10 inches were reported over much of Geauga and Ashtabula Counties.  A peak total of 12.7 inches was measured at Chardon with 8.9 inches at Orwell in Ashtabula County.  Travel was difficult during this event and many schools were closed on the 12th.

Lake-Effect Snow in GEAUGA, OHIO
From 11-JAN-16 19:00:00 to 13-JAN-16 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow began during the late evening hours of the 11th and then transitioned to lake effect snow on the 12th as cold northwest winds on the backside of the low interacted with Lake Erie. The snow showers intensified during the afternoon of the 12th with snowfall rates in excess of an inch per hour at times. The snow began to diminish during the late evening hours of the 12th and finally ended during the morning of the 13th. Strong westerly winds accompanied the snow on the 12th causing much blowing and drifting and whiteout conditions at times. Peak wind gusts approached 40 mph and sustained winds most of this event were between 15 and 25 mph. A swath of heavy snow was reported from northern Geauga County across Ashtabula County and into northwestern Pennsylvania. Lesser amounts of snow fell closer to the lake. Although the strong winds made measuring snow difficult, storm totals of 6 to 10 inches were reported over much of Geauga and Ashtabula Counties. A peak total of 12.7 inches was measured at Chardon. Travel was difficult during this event and many schools were closed on the 12th.

Lake-Effect Snow in ASHTABULA, OHIO
From 11-JAN-16 19:00:00 to 13-JAN-16 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow associated began during the late evening hours of the 11th and then transitioned to lake effect snow on the 12th as cold northwest winds on the backside of the low interacted with Lake Erie. The snow showers intensified during the afternoon of the 12th with snowfall rates in excess of an inch per hour at times. The snow began to diminish during the late evening hours of the 12th and finally ended during the morning of the 13th. Strong westerly winds accompanied the snow on the 12th causing much blowing and drifting and whiteout conditions at times. Peak wind gusts approached 40 mph and sustained winds most of this event were between 15 and 25 mph. A swath of heavy snow was reported from northern Geauga County across Ashtabula County and into northwestern Pennsylvania. Lesser amounts of snow fell closer to the lake. Although the strong winds made measuring snow difficult, storm totals of 6 to 10 inches were reported over much of Geauga and Ashtabula Counties. A peak total of 8.9 inches was measured at Orwell in Ashtabula County. Travel was difficult during this event and many schools were closed on the 12th.