Well, crap. We tried. Winter is about to pick up business.

The National Weather Service office in Cleveland has now issued a winter weather advisory for an area that includes Richland and Ashland counties.

With two to four inches of snow now forecast in the next 24 to 36 hours, the advisory is in effect until Thursday at 10 a.m.

Rain will quickly change to accumulating snow Wednesday afternoon and early this evening, according to the NWS, which issued the advisory at 1:12 p.m.

Rapidly falling temperatures will lead to roads becoming snow covered and icy late Wednesday afternoon into the evening, with poor road conditions expected tonight into Thursday morning.

In addition, the NWS said, strong winds will drive wind chills as low as 5-below zero late tonight and into Thursday morning.

Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Patchy blowing snow is likely tonight into early Thursday.

Motorists should plan on slippery conditions with with slower travel likely. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.

It will remain dangerously cold throughout the weekend with chances for snow on Friday and Saturday.

related reading 



* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
  likely become slick and hazardous. Patchy blowing snow is likely
  tonight into early Thursday. Plan on slippery conditions with with
  slower travel likely. The hazardous conditions could impact the
  Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Rain will quickly change to accumulating snow
  this afternoon and early this evening. Rapidly falling
  temperatures will lead to roads becoming snow covered and icy late
  this afternoon into this evening, with poor road conditions
  expected tonight into Thursday morning. Minimum wind chills of 0
  to -5 degrees are expected late tonight and Thursday morning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

The Ohio Department of Transportation and Ohio Turnpike and
Infrastructure Commission strongly encourage motorists to heed all
travel restrictions and delay unnecessary travel. Visit www.ohgo.com
for the latest travel, roadway, and traffic conditions.

Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while
driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken
on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and
slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

City editor. 30-year plus journalist. Husband. Father of 3 grown sons and also a proud grandpa. Prior military journalist in U.S. Navy, Ohio Air National Guard. -- Favorite quote: "Where were you when...