Brace yourselves, Cleveland, and its surrounding areas. The National Weather Service in Cleveland is letting us know that a cold front is sweeping through, so various weather changes are in store for the region tonight. A ridge lingering above us is making its way out, while this new cold front, journeying down from the northern Great Plains, is set to move across Lake Erie, northern Ohio, and northwest Pennsylvania. In its wake, keep an eye out for another ridge heading our way from the north-central United States by Sunday.
As NWS Cleveland reports, "No changes appeared necessary" in their latest 6:36 AM EST update, sticking to their guns with the original forecast. Before the front hits, the area can expect high temperatures elbowing their way into the mid-20s to lower 30s, with a noticeable chill in the air post-front, as lows drop to the lower 20s by dawn on Sunday. If you’re stepping out, consider bundling up for the coolest high temps in the region—reaching just mid to upper 20s on Sunday afternoon.
Light snowfall is slated to dance across the area from west to east from mid-morning through this evening. However, due to some stubborn dry air near the surface, most snow will likely vanish before it even kisses the ground. Totals are expected to cling to one inch or less. Lake-effect snow (LES) enthusiasts might be slightly disappointed as the extensive ice cover on Lake Erie will play the Grinch, complicating the LES forecast—which includes the intensity and placement of snow. LES accumulations in northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania are estimated at 3 inches or less.
Looking ahead to the short term, the tale of the two weather patterns continues. There's a proverbial tug-of-war between a deepening low-pressure system over Hudson Bay and a high-pressure building over the central plains. On Monday, we will see some strong winds gusting up to 35 mph—or 40 mph in certain places—courtesy of the low surface in the north, which is deepening and stirring things up across the Great Lakes. And as for the rest of the week, "periodic lake enhanced snow showers through the end of the week" are set to drape across NE Ohio and NW PA, as outlined by NWS Cleveland.
As our regional boat captains know, the lake's surface will continue to be a showcase for ice formation due to the persistent cold temps, although slightly hindered by a slight warming trend. If you're navigating Lake Erie waters, beware of ice potentially cluttering the shipping lanes—especially as ice drifts to the northeast. Checking National Weather Service forecasts before setting sail is wise during these gusty days.
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