A powerful lake-effect storm is disrupting Thanksgiving travel across Northeast Ohio, with whiteouts, dangerous winds and more than a foot of snow likely in the region’s snowbelt.

GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio — Lake effect snow is set to impact portions of Northeast Ohio just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday this week, which is why the National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the following counties from Thursday morning through Friday evening:

The National Weather Service issued a lake effect snow warning at 12:36 p.m. on Thursday in effect until Saturday at 1 a.m. for Potter County.

A powerful storm system will slam Northeast Ohio with dangerous winds, rapidly falling temperatures and up to 16 inches of lake effect snow through Friday evening.

4 pm Tuesday to include new maps for snowfall for Thanksgiving Day, position of lake snow Thursday and Friday plus latest thoughts on snowfall for Friday*** When

A Yellow Alert remains up into Friday for local lake effect snow and gusty winds. The winds will be easing slowly through the day, so they will become less problematic, but there will be areas of blowing snow where the lake effect is falling.

On Thursday at 2:54 p.m. a lake effect snow warning was released by the National Weather Service in effect until Friday at 7 p.m. for Mercer County.