City of Cleveland Activates Full Response Ahead of Incoming Winter Storm

A major winter storm is expected to impact Northeast Ohio from Saturday evening through Monday, with the heaviest snowfall and most hazardous travel conditions anticipated on Sunday.

The City of Cleveland is fully mobilized and deploying all available resources to protect the safety of residents, workers, and everyone traveling through our area.

City Operations
City Hall, Cleveland Public Auditorium and Willard Parking Garage will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026, due to expected inclement weather. Essential City services will continue, and regular business hours are expected to resume on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, unless otherwise notified.

Warming Centers
The Division of Recreation will open Warming Centers on the following dates and times:

• Friday, January 23, 2026: 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 24, 2026: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday, January 25, 2026: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Monday, January 26, 2026: 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 27, 2026: 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 28, 2026: 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
  

Warming Centers will be available at the following locations:

• Michael Zone Recreation Center (West side)
  6301 Lorain Ave.
  (216) 664-3373
• EJ Kovacic Recreation Center (Near downtown)
  6250 St. Clair Avenue
  (216) 664-4140
• Zelma George Recreation Center (Southeast)
  3155 Martin L. King Blvd.
  (216) 420-8800
• Collinwood Recreation Center (Northeast)
  16300 Lakeshore Blvd.
  (216) 420-8323

If visitors require overnight shelter, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) passes can be provided at the listed recreation centers to facilitate transportation to an appropriate nearby facility offering these services.

Snow Emergency Parking Ban

Wayne Drummond, Director of Public Safety, has declared a Snow Emergency Parking Ban for the City of Cleveland effective from 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026.

As a result, stopping, standing, and parking vehicles will be restricted and prohibited on City streets with posted red and white signs. During the period of the emergency, parking of any vehicles is prohibited upon any or all of the City streets designated as a through street or highway by Codified Ordinance Section 413.02. Read Codified Ordinance Section 451.17 Snow Emergency.

Parking is prohibited on designated Snow Emergency streets, which are identified as necessary for transportation, the movement of food and fuel supplies, medical care, fire, health and police protection, and other vital facilities of the City. Significant snowfall can cause streets to become congested and impassable.

Vehicles parked in the roadway prevent snowplows from clearing streets, which can make driving down these streets impossible. Resulting bottlenecks and gridlock can hamper response by emergency vehicles. For this reason, citizens are encouraged to avoid parking vehicles on all city streets to allow snowplows sufficient time to remove snow and ice from the roads. Vehicles in violation are subject to citation and towing.

Northeast Ohio is one of several regions currently facing a road salt shortage caused by early winter demand and supplier delays. The City of Cleveland is prepared to keep roads clear and residents safe. All streets will continue to be plowed, and the Department of Public Works is strategically prioritizing salt treatments on main roads, hills, high-risk intersections, and areas near hospitals to ensure safe travel and support rapid emergency response. We ask residents to remain safe and patient if their street experiences any delays in treatment.

Become a Snow Hero
The Department of Aging is seeking volunteers to join the Snow Heroes team. By clearing snow from walkways and sidewalks, volunteers help older adults and residents with disabilities remain safe and independent throughout the winter.

Individuals and groups are welcome to volunteer-join the effort and help make your neighborhood safer this winter by shoveling snow for neighbors who need a helping hand.

Apply here

Resident resources

• 9-1-1: Emergencies
• 3-1-1 and clevelandohio.gov/311: Snow issues, missed streets, parking bans.
• 2-1-1: Senior services, shelters, social services
• (216) 664-3156: Cleveland Public Power
• (216) 664-3060: Cleveland Water