Winter Storm Fern is expected to bring plenty of snow to Northeast Ohio overnight Saturday and throughout the day Sunday, with forecasts ranging from 6-12 inches anticipated for the area, according to the National Weather Service. A winter storm warning begins Saturday at 7 p.m. and will be in effect through 10 a.m. Monday.

Bitterly cold temperatures descended again on the Akron area Friday, with an overnight low of about zero degrees Saturday and a high of 10 degrees expected during the day. Cold temperatures are expected to contue through the end of the month.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a state of emergency Saturday in anticipation of the severe weather, directing state agencies, including the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Transportation to provide additional resources and support to local communities as needed.

“I continue to encourage everyone to stay home this weekend unless it’s absolutely necessary to be out,” DeWine said in a news release. “We’re expecting the roads to be treacherous in some places, and if you crash, first responders may not be able to get to you quickly.”

Parking bans in Akron, Cuyahoga Falls and Tallmadge

The City of Akron issued a snow emergency parking ban that starts at 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26 and continues until further notice.

During the ban, motor vehicles should not be parked on any city street and are subject to fines and towing per Akron city code.

The city is encouraging residents to download the Code Red app for updates on the parking ban, water boil alerts, road closures and more.

Cuyahoga Falls issued a citywide parking ban effective Saturday, Jan. 24 at 10 p.m. to Wednesday at 9 a.m. to allow access for emergency services and to help crews safely clear roadways. Vehicles parked on city streets during the ban may be ticketed and towed.

For updates, go to cityofcf.com, follow the City of Cuyahoga Falls City Hall Facebook page, or download the City of Cuyahoga Falls App from Google Play or the App Store.

The City of Tallmadge will be under a snow parking ban beginning Saturday, Jan. 24 and continuing until Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 8 a.m.

Akron-area warming centers are open

Summit Lake Community Center, (380 W. Crosier St.) will be open as a warming center from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Tuesday, Jan. 27. 

Also, the Akron Emergency Overnight Warming Center (111 E. Voris St.) will remain open nightly through Jan. 30 (7 p.m. to 8 a.m.). The shelter also provides food and clothing. Learn more at akronemergencycenter.org. (Use METRO Bus #13 and #15 — the stop is located across from the Main Post Office on Wolf Ledges Parkway.)

Barberton Lake Anna YMCA (500 W. Hopocan Ave.) will be open the following days and times as a warming center. ID is required for anyone over 18.

  • Saturday, Jan. 24: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Jan. 25: noon – 5 p.m.
  • Monday, Jan. 26 through Thursday, Jan. 29: 5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Friday, Jan. 30: 5:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Barberton’s Active Adult Center (also at 500 W. Hopocan Ave.) will be open the following days and times as a warming center.

  • Monday, Jan. 26: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 27: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 28: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Jan. 29: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Jan. 30: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Warming Center Only: Friday from 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Norton Fire Department Central Station Training Room (3380 Greenwich Road) will be open as a warming center through Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The fire department is asking that people who need to use the warming center notify them by calling 330-825-3086.

The Tallmadge Recreation Center (46 N. Munroe Road) is open during its regular business hours to residents who have no other shelter or are facing heat, electricity or other serious issues in their homes due to extreme weather conditions. Residents may use the lobby or concessions area of the Recreation Center.

The center is open Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. -10 p.m., Friday, 5 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Akron Zoo will be closed

The Akron Zoo will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 24 through Monday, Jan. 26 due to the weather forecast. It plans to reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. 

More resources to stay safe in the cold

Here are additional Signal Akron articles with information to keep you safe in extreme weather.

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.