The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a forecast discussing the low-pressure system moving through the lower Great Lakes Region today, with a cold front expected to sweep through the area tonight. According to the forecast discussion, intense high pressure will build south out of Canada from Saturday night through Sunday night, followed by a warm front that will lift north across the area late Monday, and another cold front that will push back south late Tuesday.
Amidst these atmospheric cartwheels, parts of the Central Great Lakes are expecting "an area of rain" and possible isolated thunderstorms this morning. "Precipitable water values are forecast to be near the climatological maximum for April 25 at 1.25-1.40". Locally heavy rain looks favorable with thunderstorms today and qpf values have trended upwards towards an inch in eastern portions of the forecast area" says the National Weather Service Cleveland. This could potentially lead to localized flooding, especially in urban areas where the downpour could be more concentrated.
Daytime temperatures are expected to reach the 70s before falling overnight into Saturday. The eastern parts of the region may experience temperatures dropping to the upper 40s by Saturday afternoon, accompanied by a brisk northwest wind. In terms of aviation, this system will bring challenges as visibility may plummet in areas with thunderstorms late this afternoon into this evening, with IFR visibilities and wind gusts up to 30 knots a possibility.
The maritime front will also feel the system’s impact. "Northwest flow will increase to near 20 knots behind a cold front overnight into Saturday, with Small Craft headlines needed for much of the central and eastern basins of the lake into Saturday evening," warns the National Weather Service Cleveland. Looking ahead to next week, conditions on the lake may be affected by strong storms on Tuesday.
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