The forecast for Cleveland is looking a little wet and wild as the National Weather Service (NWS) Cleveland branch predicts the merger of two low-pressure systems, bringing a bunch of rain to the region towards the end of this week. According to the latest update from the NWS, a high-pressure ridge that's been keeping things calm is set to retreat, while a trough is about to make itself at home over the area through Saturday.
Describing the weather pattern shift, sources say a surface low is expected to develop tonight from the Lower Mississippi Valley, moving northeastward into the southern Appalachians by Wednesday. An additional low is set to crop up near the Carolinas, brought on by a variety of atmospheric conditions, including wind shear and divergence aloft. With surface winds taking a turn from northeasterly to easterly, Cleveland can expect a mix of cool, dry air, for now, keeping things fair until Wednesday evening. Still, this forecast, tossing the proverbial ball to the Carolinas, suggests the region should brace for scattered light rain, especially south of U.S. Route 30, as the evening progresses.
As the midweek approaches, it's going to be a soggy affair: "Widespread rain is expected to overspread our region generally from the south Wednesday night and persist on Thursday," the NWS Cleveland detailed. They're not just talking about a gentle sprinkle here; the area is prepped to see steady and potentially heavy downpours thanks to a cocktail of atmospheric forces, including what's being called a "warm conveyor belt" that'll tap into moisture from the Gulf. For the unprepared, maybe it's time to find an umbrella that's not going to flip inside out.
Looking at the weekend, the rains will likely shift to lake-effect showers, a direct result of all the moisture from Lake Erie. "During Thursday night, the warm conveyor belt and associated widespread rain should exit gradually northeastward," NWS Cleveland mentioned, predicting that this exit will pave the way for "lake-enhanced/effect rain" that could come down heavy at times. It's like the lake has decided to throw its own rain party, spreading the cheer (or gloom, depending on your perspective) southeastward across Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania. Friday through Sunday doesn't look much brighter, with isolated to scattered showers anticipated, particularly intrusive as the weekend rolls in.
Mariners aren't getting a break, either. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect until Wednesday afternoon for nearshore waters of Lake Erie because of those pesky east-northeast winds whipping up waves and making conditions a bit sketchy for smaller boats. Although previously there was talk of gale-force winds, recent projections have scaled back that risk. Still, the advice stands: better safe than sorry when heading out on the lake this week.
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