Blizzard Set to Hit Northern Ohio

AMHERST, Ohio, March 7-- The expression "March comes in like a lion" is currently holding true in northern Ohio today. Residents of the Cleveland area and its suburbs are bracing themselves for what is predicted to be the biggest snowstorm of the year. Currently a winter storm warning is in effect, with a Blizzard Watch set to be issued by the National Weather Service at 4 A.M. Saturday. WKYC.com has stated that by Saturday night, an estimated 10 to 16 inches of snow will have hit the Cleveland area. Winds off the lake will accompany the snowfall, blowing snow and reducing visibility. Residents are urged to stay off the roads unless travel is necessary.

Staying off the roads is currently a good idea. One accident already occurred in Cleveland on Friday afternoon. WKYC reports that a Jeep fishtailed on West 140^th street and fell over the barrier of a bridge. One of the vehicle's two passengers was trapped and had to be pried out with the Jaws of Life.

Additionally, the weather forecast has caused many weekend events to be cancelled. The Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Domonkas Branch Library in Sheffield Lake was cut short. The sale, which was set to run through Saturday evening, ended on Friday instead. A "Snow Storm Special" was created by the librarians, and patrons had to pay only $1.00 for a plastic bag stuffed full of books and videos. "The dollar a bag sale was good for me, probably not so good for the library," says Diane Smith, library visitor. "I went to the sale at 10 A.M. Friday and the skies were clear. By the time I left, an hour later, snow was blowing off the lake and traffic was backed up," Smith is worried about the snowstorm because she is set to arrive at her job as a registered nurse at 7 A.M. Saturday. She anticipates getting up extra early to allow ample time to get her car cleared off.

Lorain County Community College in Elyria has cancelled some of its events. According to their website,the LCCC Civic Chorale Concert on Saturday is cancelled. The college's weekend Halo 3 and Madden Video Game Tournament has been postponed too. It seems to be a general consensus from Ohio residents that this snow has got to go, and soon. "I think winter storms in March stink!" says Port Clinton resident Carlos Lucero. He is a Bowling Green State University student and this past week was his spring break. God's sense of humor is cruel, for the weather was worse on his spring break than it was for his Christmas vacation, Lucero told me. Diane Smith also exclaimed that she is "tired of the weather; I want sunshine and blue skies."

As we Ohio residents brace ourselves for a weekend stuck indoors, watching TV and drinking hot cocoa, just remember: Only 3 more weeks until spring!

In conclusion, keep checking your television news channels for the latest news regarding weather in the Cleveland area. Stay off the roads if you can, and remember to check on your elderly friends and relatives and any outdoor pets.

Frank Macek, Blizzard Watch for Saturday; Winter Storm Warning continues, WKYC.com

Lorain County Community College, Event Cancellations, http://www.lorainccc.edu/

Lorain Public Library System, Domonkas Branch Library - Events This Month, https://www.lorainpubliclibrary.com