NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio (WOIO) — The Christmas shopping season kicked into high gear following Thanksgiving, with determined shoppers willing to navigate wet, slushy roads to reach the mall.

A full parking at Great Northern Mall lot demonstrated that snow and cold temperatures did not deter holiday shopping plans.

Treacherous road conditions plague morning commute

John Bell was among many drivers who encountered difficult conditions on area roads.

“I thought it wasn’t going to be that bad when I first got on the road, I went ‘Oh my gosh,’” Bell said.

A drive on Highway 480 westbound Friday morning revealed more than 20 cars that had slid off the road within a single hour.

Slush and snow created hazardous conditions that sent vehicles into ditches.

Shoppers delay trips for safer travel

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