(Independence) – There’s a blanket of white throughout the area thanks to another blast of lake effect snow. Dennis Bray with the National Weather Service says the drive to the office was difficult for many people as they headed into downtown Cleveland early this morning.

A lake effect blizzard settled in along I-480 to I-271. Communities affected include Parma, Independence, and Brecksville.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has more than 80 plows on the highways this morning. While the snow was coming down at a fairly quick clip, ODOT's Amanda Lee says strong winds are complicating the process this morning.

I-90 East near West 117th

Lee urges the public to allow plows the space they need to clear the roadways.

Driving along I-480 this morning was "Trucker Russ", who tells Newsradio WTAM 1100 that this storm rated a 7-out-of-10 for its intensity. Ten being the famous blizzard of 1977.

Russ says, for the most part, drivers were being careful and courteous this morning.

Hopkins Airport spokeswoman Jackie Mayo reports only a few delays and cancellations from the morning storm. She urges travelers to check the status of their flight before they leave. Mayo tells Newsradio WTAM their crews are doing a great job of clearing snow from the runways.

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