Travel question for the weekend 21-23 Charleston - Cleveland

[krisj]

I usually post on the hurricane board since I live in SC. We are going to my grandfather's funeral in Cleveland. The funeral is Sat., but we planned on driving up Friday and then driving home on Sun. We can not take alot of time off.

So, will I miss the storm that is expected to come and be okay by the time Sunday comes around to drive home? What about Friday? When will it get bad in Cleveland?

What about any mountain areas along 77?
I was nervous already about driving this far and my Aunt just informed me of this big snow.

Any advice? Ideas?

[Brent]

The brunt of the storm will be Saturday over the Carolinas/Virginia northward.

For Cleveland... Snow is likely after Midnight Friday Night through Saturday Night. NWS says 5-7 inches possible, especially south of Cleveland.

Looks pretty bad.

Oh... I-77 could be snow-covered all the way into North Carolina, certainly through West Virginia.

[ohiostorm]

Cleveland will be too far north I think to get the heavier snow. But you will have to travel through it to get there plus the mountain areas. If you leave early on Friday you might be able to get through before the heavier snow gets to those areas. The mountain areas will get very bad once it starts there. Things will start to deteiorate quickly Friday night into Saturday morning in the mountains and east central Ohio. Earlier you leave on Friday morning. The better chance you have of missing most of the snow and problems.

[krisj]

But will the roads be cleared by Sunday?
We will get there hopefully before the snow starts Friday night and leave early Sunday. Think the roads in the mountains will be cleared?
I grew up in Chicago so I am used to driving in snow, but it has been a few years of living down south, so I don't quite remember.
I don't want to cancel the trip. I am supposed to speak and everything. But I don't want to get stranded or killed or fall off a mountain either.
You think it will be that bad that far south in the Mtns?
Thanks for the info. I know to leave very early Friday. Now it is when to leave that is the big question.

[Brent]

But will the roads be cleared by Sunday?

If the snow ends before LATE Saturday Night, they SHOULD be, but I doubt they will through the mountains.

[krisj]

So, should I just wait and listen to the weather Sat. night? Should I plan on leaving on Monday instead.
This would happen this weekend.

[dawgpound]

Cleveland will be too far north I think to get the heavier snow. But you will have to travel through it to get there plus the mountain areas. If you leave early on Friday you might be able to get through before the heavier snow gets to those areas. The mountain areas will get very bad once it starts there. Things will start to deteiorate quickly Friday night into Saturday morning in the mountains and east central Ohio. Earlier you leave on Friday morning. The better chance you have of missing most of the snow and problems.

I live in N/C Ohio and heartily agree with ohiostorm. The earlier you can leave, the better off you will be. Cleveland weatherman said at 6:00pm they don't know yet where the storm will track. Snowfall amounts will be anywhere from 3-12 inches. Will try to keep you posted.

[ohiostorm]

Yeah I will post updated forecasts daily to let you know whats up.

[krisj]

Thanks.
Now I just hope the roads are clear on Sunday.

I plan to leave about 4am on Friday to miss the storm.

[JenyEliza]

Thanks.
Now I just hope the roads are clear on Sunday.

I plan to leave about 4am on Friday to miss the storm.

Safe driving, kris. Sorry about your Grandfather's passing and that you're having to make this farewell trip under these circumstances.

Just go slow and take your time when driving in the bad weather....that's most important thing of all. But you know that already, don't you?

Take care...and be safe.

Jeny

[krisj]

Thanks Jeny. I really don't want to miss this goodbye.
I guess I can plan on a long haul. I'll bring lots of warm clothes and snacks in case the trip takes a very long time.

[ohiostorm]

Leaving that early you should miss the snow for the most part. Getting back might be the problem. Waiting till Monday might be a good idea. That's if we get it. This thing could bust. Well keep you posted!

[JenyEliza]

Thanks Jeny. I really don't want to miss this goodbye.
I guess I can plan on a long haul. I'll bring lots of warm clothes and snacks in case the trip takes a very long time.

As someone who missed the chance to say goodbye to her 95 year old grandmother back on Labor Day 2003, I can say you should do everything you can SAFELY do to be there. If you can't go you will always regret it and be very sad that you weren't there to say that last good-bye.

My grandmother passed the weekend before Labor Day 2003. Her funeral was the Monday after Labor Day. Try as I might--even with a bereavement discount offered by airlines--I could not find fares between ATL/IAD that were affordable and I didn't trust my vehicle to safely drive 1,600 miles round trip.

So...I sent the most gorgeous arrangement, and the day of the funeral went to work and cried my eyes out at my desk most of the day. I wish that wasn't my final memory of grandmother....but it is, and I will always regret not being there. (excuse me while I go take care of my leaky eyes).

Do whatever you can to get there. Even if you have to take extra time off so that you can safely return, you MUST get there.

Jeny

[krisj]

THanks Jeny, I am sorry you had that experience with your grandma's funeral.
I feel confident we can get there. Hopefully on Sat. people will be able to drive to get there from local areas.
I guess the best thing is to wait until Sat. night and then decide. The snow storm should be over by Sat. night?

[ohiostorm]

For the most part yes but the roads wont get better that quick. But wait around and if you think its safe then make the decision. Id wait till Sunday or Monday.

[dawgpound]

Winter Storm Watch
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
909 PM EST THU JAN 20 2005

.A DEVELOPING WINTER STORM WILL WORK ITS WAY ACROSS THE NORTHERN
PLAINS FRIDAY AND INTO THE OHIO VALLEY SATURDAY. THE CURRENT
FORECAST TRACK INDICATES THAT THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY SNOW
ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN OHIO AND NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA BEGINNING
LATE FRIDAY NIGHT AND LASTING THROUGH SATURDAY. IN ADDITION...WINDS
WILL BECOME GUSTY OUT OF THE NORTH SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND CAUSE
BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE SNOW.


OHZ003-006>014-017>023-027>033-036>038-047-089-211203-
ASHLAND OH-ASHTABULA INLAND OH-ASHTABULA LAKESHORE OH-CRAWFORD OH-
CUYAHOGA OH-ERIE OH-GEAUGA OH-HANCOCK OH-HOLMES OH-HURON OH-KNOX OH-
LAKE OH-LORAIN OH-LUCAS OH-MAHONING OH-MARION OH-MEDINA OH-MORROW OH-
OTTAWA OH-PORTAGE OH-RICHLAND OH-SANDUSKY OH-SENECA OH-STARK OH-
SUMMIT OH-TRUMBULL OH-WAYNE OH-WOOD OH-WYANDOT OH-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...AKRON...ASHLAND...ASHTABULA...
BOWLING GREEN...BUCYRUS...CANTON...CHARDON...CLEVELAND...ELYRIA...
FINDLAY...FOSTORIA...FREMONT...JEFFERSON...LORAIN...MANSFIELD...
MARION...MEDINA...MILLERSBURG...MOUNT GILEAD...MOUNT VERNON...
NORWALK...PAINESVILLE...PORT CLINTON...RAVENNA...SANDUSKY...TIFFIN...
TOLEDO...UPPER SANDUSKY...WARREN...WOOSTER AND YOUNGSTOWN
909 PM EST THU JAN 20 2005

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT TO
SATURDAY EVENING...

SNOW WILL DEVELOP ACROSS NORTHERN OHIO AFTER MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT
AND CONTINUE THROUGH MUCH OF THE DAY SATURDAY. DEPENDING ON THE
ACTUAL TRACK OF THE STORM SYSTEM...THE SNOW COULD TURN HEAVY AT TIMES
ACROSS THE REGION. BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE SNOW COULD ALSO
DEVELOP SATURDAY AFTERNOON AS WINDS INCREASE AND BECOME GUSTY OUT OF
THE NORTH.

BY SATURDAY EVENING STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL AMOUNTS SHOULD RANGE FROM 5
TO 8 INCHES ACROSS MUCH OF THE WATCH AREA.

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS ISSUED WHEN SEVERE WINTER WEATHER IS
POSSIBLE, BUT NOT IMMINENT. AT THE TIME, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR
SIGNIFICANT SNOW AND/OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS. FUTURE DRIVING AND WALKING
CONDITIONS MAY BECOME HAZARDOUS, SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO MONITOR THE
LATEST FORECASTS.

[ohiostorm]

First numbers are out...

Tonight...Snow likely. Snow accumulation around an inch. Lows around 14. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent. Wind chill values as low as zero.

Saturday...Snow. Snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible. Highs in the mid 20s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Wind chill values as low as 1 below.

Saturday Night...Snow likely. Some additional accumulation possible. Lows around 10 above. North winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent. Wind chill values as low as 7 below.