Snowstorm Blankets Northeast Ohio with Over a Foot of Snow

Cleveland area sees record-breaking snowfall as winter storm sweeps through the region.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:07pm

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A powerful winter storm system dumped over a foot of snow across Northeast Ohio over the weekend, with the city of Austintown recording an impressive 18.1 inches. The heavy snowfall caused widespread disruptions, including school and business closures, as well as treacherous driving conditions throughout the region.

Why it matters

The heavy snowfall is a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to severe winter weather, which can have significant impacts on transportation, infrastructure, and daily life. The storm highlights the need for effective emergency preparedness and snow removal efforts to keep communities safe and functioning during major winter events.

The details

The snowstorm, which began on Friday evening and continued through Saturday, brought heavy, wet snow that accumulated quickly, causing power outages and making travel extremely hazardous. Snowplows and crews worked around the clock to clear roads, but the sheer volume of snow overwhelmed some areas, leading to numerous accidents and stranded vehicles.

  • The storm began on Friday evening, January 24, 2026.
  • The heaviest snowfall occurred on Saturday, January 25, 2026.
  • By Sunday, January 26, 2026, the storm had largely passed, leaving behind record-breaking snow totals.

The players

National Weather Service (NWS) Cleveland

The local office of the National Weather Service that issued warnings and tracked the storm's progress.

James Parish

A meteorologist who reported on the storm's snowfall totals across the region.

Austintown, Ohio

A city in Mahoning County that recorded the highest snowfall total of 18.1 inches during the storm.

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What they’re saying

“We made a timelapse video of the snow squall moving into downtown CLE looking west from Terminal Tower between 4:30 pm to 4:40 pm.”

— NWS Cleveland (Twitter)

“Alright, snow lovers — the totals are officially in from this weekend's big snowstorm! Here are some of the highest snowfall reports from each county, and wow… Austintown really took the crown with 18.1 inches of snow.”

— James Parish, Meteorologist (Twitter)

What’s next

Local authorities will continue to monitor the situation and work to clear roads and restore power to affected areas. Residents are advised to stay off the roads if possible and to check on vulnerable neighbors during the ongoing cleanup efforts.

The takeaway

This historic snowstorm serves as a stark reminder of the region's need for robust winter weather preparedness and the importance of community resilience in the face of extreme weather events. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, such severe winter storms may become more frequent, underscoring the need for proactive planning and investment in infrastructure to protect local communities.