As the warm front lifts northeast across Cleveland today, locals can expect a significant temperature spike, some strong weather in store, and all the typical drama of an Ohio spring. The National Weather Service in Cleveland reports that following quiet weather this morning, temperatures will vault into the low to mid-70s by the afternoon—a 30-40 degree difference that's sure to have folks shedding their layers and eyeing their air conditioners.
But don't pack away those umbrellas just yet. A low-pressure system is barreling out of the Rockies and into the Great Lakes region, bringing the potential for severe weather this weekend. According to the NWS's Area Forecast Discussion, "Thunderstorms will develop in the afternoon/evening hours well out to the west and approach Northwest Ohio very late tonight into the early morning hours on Saturday." These storms are predicted to form a quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) that could carry strong winds and severe gusts as it moves across Indiana and approaches Ohio.
While the storms are expected to weaken upon their arrival in Ohio, the NWS cautions that they're worth monitoring. Later on Saturday, the main event seems to be a possible "slight risk" for severe weather. "If we can get convective development between 18-00Z... then it would develop in an environment very much supportive of severe weather," the discussion from NWS states, noting that wind, hail, and even tornadoes could be on the table.
Non-thunderstorm winds will be no joke either, with predictions including 40-45 mph gusts and up to 50 mph possible to the west of a Marion-Sandusky line. The NWS mentioned, "A wind advisory may be needed for a portion of Northwest Ohio." Mariners should also heed caution; the lake is getting choppy starting overnight tonight or early Saturday.
Those planning Sunday outings should brace for the possibility of rain and thunderstorms lingering from Saturday night into the next day. A secondary weather punch might rush through, though no severe weather is anticipated with this second wave. Then, it seems, Ohio will get a respite: "A wedge of high pressure quickly slides through later Sunday night into Monday," promising to give Clevelanders at least a brief break before the next trough moves in midweek.
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