If it really gets this bad...it will be really bad

Checking out the Sunday morning forecast models.  This is scary.  Seriously...if things work out the way the models are predicting Wednesday is not going to be a day to be out and about. Here's what it looks like as of this morning.  Now, keep in mind that winter storms are like pets.  Sometimes you expect them to do one thing and they do something else...like "Come here Fido."  So, he gets up and walks over to the corner and lies down instead.

We will start off with a little teaser Monday night...like an inch or two by Tuesday morning. Nothing to write home about.  Then, after dark on Tuesday, the fun begins.

Scenario #1 - All Snow
The line between snow and ice will be pushing close to the Akron area Tuesday night and Wednesday.  In fact, the area could get split.  But, let's assume we have all snow. In those areas the snow will begin after dark on Tuesday.  By Wednesday morning some areas would have 6" to 8" of new snow on the ground.  The overnight snowfall rate could be 1"+ an hour at times. Snow would continue on Wednesday with several more inches falling along with strong, gusty winds and blowing and drifting snow.

Scenario #2 - Snow and Ice
This is the one that is really frightening.  If this occurs, the area could be shut down for a period of time.  The models are printing out from 1/2" to over 1" of ice buildup overnight Tuesday.  That much ice would cause havoc on tree branches and power lines, not to mention roadways. With this scenario, snowfall will  be cut back considerably to less than 6" total by Wednesday evening. Nonetheless, the area would become immobile by Wednesday morning.

Whichever scenario develops, we should see things back off by late in the day Wednesday.  With Lake Erie frozen, we won't have to worry too much about lake effect.  That's the one good thing in the forecast.

Until we can get a more definite track on the storm, I would plan for the worst.  Stock up on food and plan for power outages. It's the millenium so it won't be that long until you can get back out (not like the 50s when people got stuck in their houses for a week at a time), but, then again, you may not want to go out for awhile.

More later...