A strong winter storm with snow, strong winds and frigid weather, is expected to hit the area tonight into Thursday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning, which will be in effect from 9 PM Wednesday, until 7 PM Thursday.

Winds gusting as high as 45 mph will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow resulting in significantly reduced visibilities. Scattered power outages could develop Thursday and Friday which would force considerable hardship where heat would not be available,” the Service said.

Lakewood Police Chief Greg Meyer issued the following statement to TLS:

“If you are using portable heaters due to these frigid temps please inspect them carefully for proper operation and never use any open flames near furniture or drapery.

Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors since furnaces are working extra hard these days.

And in the event of accumulating snow, please park your cars off of the main streets and into your driveways to allow for street plowing and avoid unnecessary trips out to keep the roads clear for snow removal and lessen your chance to get stuck or be involved in a fender bender.

Our Police, Fire and EMS workers will all be out working extra hard already and the lesser the traffic the safer it is out there.”