Be careful out there: Heavy snow expected tonight

Mahoning and Shenang Valley residents are reminded to be careful traveling tonight, as a winter weather advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Several fender-benders have been reported throughout the area. Snow will continue to expand across the Valleys with some sleet and freezing rain mixing with snow through 7 p.m. Youngstown police had requested Meridian Road north and south near Interstate 680 to be closed for a period to clear several crashes shortly after 6 p.m.

There also was a large pileup near the 7-11 connector earlier this afternoon that has since been cleared. There were no serious injuries reported there.

Periods of moderate and occasionally heavy snow can be expected after 7 p.m. Another 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected overnight.

The highest snow amounts are south of a line from Toledo to Mansfield to near Youngstown. Snow is expected to taper off from north to south Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Little accumulation is expected after daybreak Tuesday.

Northeast winds of 10 to 20 mph with occasional gusts will accompany the snow and cause some blowing and drifting.