Gusty wind, blowing & drifting snow making clearing city streets tough, Cleveland spokesperson says

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Maureen Harper, Chief of Communications for the City of Cleveland, said blowing and drifting snow is making snow removal difficult for crews. Harper also said the timing of the heavy snow overnight and prior to the morning rush hour didn't help the situation as a burst of Lake Effect snow fell fast and hard.

The city has 47 crews out plowing city streets.

The snow plow drivers are currently focusing on main roads and secondary roads, but no residential plowing until the main roads are clear.

Harper said about six inches of snow fell on city streets in total.

The plan was to cut back on road crews on the afternoon shift, but a full team of 47 crews will stay working around the clock. 

The Shoreway downtown is especially snow covered and icy from gusty winds blowing in from the north over Lake Erie and traffic is moving slowly.

The Shoreway westbound near Edgewater park has very low visibility from blowing snow.

A parking ban is in effect on streets with red and white signs.