A potent "clipper" system will arrive as the work week draws to a close, and accumulating snow will create some headaches for area commuters. We expect snow to get underway around or a little before daybreak Friday. Snow should taper off early in the afternoon, after leaving new accumulations of up to a couple of inches. Eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania will see a break for at least a few hours during the afternoon, but snow is set to return to much of the area during the evening. The arrival of much colder air will be accompanied by gusty winds and perhaps some snow squalls Friday evening, with new accumulations of an inch or two fairly common. In fact, lake-effect snow showers originating downwind of Lake Huron may keep the snowflakes flying into the overnight, especially in parts of Trumbull and Mercer counties. 

The air behind Friday's clipper will be arctic in origin. Wind chills are likely to bottom out near 20 below in some places Saturday morning, with air temperatures near or below zero at daybreak. Saturday afternoon's highs will only be in the single digits. 

Our region may be grazed by a few snow flurries Sunday; otherwise, another rather cloudy and cold day is in the forecast. It will not be as harsh as Saturday. Next week's thaw is still on track to get underway by Tuesday afternoon.