First snowfall: Slippery roads, multiple accidents, no Akron school closures
No schools are closed in Akron after the first snowfall of the season blanketed Summit and Portage counties with between one to three inches of snow Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
The morning commute is slow as car crashes dot Summit County highways, which are layered with ice and slush. As of 9:15 a.m., at least 10 crashes on highways with mostly single and double-lane closures were reported by the Ohio Department of Transportation from Peninsula to Norton and into Portage County. One ramp on I-76 closed but is now reopened.
A hazardous weather outlook remains in effect for Summit, Portage and Trumbull counties as the region clears roads.
The most amount of snow recorded by the National Weather Service for this weather event was 7.5 inches in Geneva followed by 6.2 inches in Thompson and 5 inches in Atlantic Pennsylvania.
Early but not the earliest
Although early, the first measurable snow usually falls around Nov. 9 in the Akron-Canton area, according to the National Weather Service. The first snowfall of at least one inch is Nov. 25.
The record holder for the earliest snowfall is Oct. 2, 1972, which saw roughly half an inch.
First snow: Up to 4 inches of snow possible overnight in Northeast Ohio counties, snow belt
Weather outlook across Northeast Ohio
The National Weather Service reported between one to six inches of snow across Northeast Ohio.
Lake effect snow warnings remain in effect for Ashtabula and Crawford counties while winter weather advisories are in effect for Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and lake shore Ashtabula counties.
Over 158 snow plow crews are out statewide with many in Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties, said Matt Bruning of the Ohio Department of Transportation on X, formerly known as Twitter. In two hours, those crews drove 5,567 miles.
News 5 Cleveland, an Akron Beacon Journal partner, reported multiple closings in Cuyahoga and Lake counties. Marlington Local DS in Stark County has no morning latchkey or morning preschool.
How to drive with plows on the roads
Since many will experience their first snow of the season tonight, now is a good time to get a refresher on driving in winter weather! When driving in snow, drive slower than normal, leave plenty of room in front of you, and give plows enough space to treat roads. #ohwx #pawx pic.twitter.com/JKlL6TYM2G
— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) October 31, 2023
Between the snow, ice and plows on the roads, ODOT recommends drivers remain cautious and go slow without crowding plow trucks.
When near a plow, ODOT urges drivers to leave more room between themselves and other vehicles. Cruise control, braking quickly or taking sharp turns are quick ways to end up in a crash.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: School closings in Akron?: No. Here's what to know after first snowfall
