Cleveland residents can expect a reprieve from lake effect showers as the National Weather Service (NWS) in Cleveland reports high pressure building into the Ohio Valley today, clearing the skies for the latter part of the week. According to NWS Cleveland, "High pressure will begin to build into the region today as a larger upper level ridge builds into central CONUS". The Lake Huron bands of precipitation are now focused on New York, sparing northeastern Ohio and Pennsylvania from further showers. Today’s high temperatures will be pleasant, ranging mid to upper 40s, with some areas out west seeing 50 degrees.
Looking ahead, overnight lows will dip into the low 30s, but the weather will remain favorable through Friday as the high-pressure system strengthens in the southeastern United States. The weather service predicts by "midday Friday, the high axis will be off to the east of the region and flow will shift to be out of the west-southwest and temperatures will begin to warm". Friday’s temperatures will see a bump, with the western half of the region enjoying the low to mid 50s, while the eastern half lingers in the upper 40s.
The weekend, however, ushers in a shift as a warm front on Saturday brings moisture and higher temperatures, though possibly muted by precipitation and cloud cover. As the front moves through, eastern Ohio and Pennsylvania may see an increase in rain chances. NWS Cleveland evidence of the changing weather, stating "Precipitation chances will increase throughout the day as the front passes through with the highest chances in eastern Ohio and into Pennsylvania". A corresponding cold front will follow late Saturday into Sunday, impacting the entire region with a chance for a rain-snow mix closer to the lakeshore by Sunday night as temperatures drop.
Marine conditions on Lake Erie will reflect this transition too. The NWS warns of continued W to NW winds at 15-25 knots over central and eastern basins of Lake Erie today, waning by tonight. Boaters should take heed as conditions on the lake could see wave heights reaching 4 to 8 feet. However, as the southern Great Lakes are sandwiched "between a lingering trough over the eastern Great Lakes and high pressure building NE from the Mid Mississippi Valley", the winds should decrease after today. Mariners can expect a Small Craft Advisory in effect for some areas until early Friday. Winds will then shift, increasing into Saturday ahead of the cold front, with potential for gale-force conditions into Sunday.
As we head into next week, the Great Lakes region will be dominated by Canadian high pressure, signaling below-average temperatures. The NWS briefs on the lookout for a shortwave that could sweep across the central CONUS, possibly bringing more rain by Tuesday. Despite the forecasted rain, "temperatures will continue to be below average across the region for both highs and overnight lows", asserts a forecast scenario that promises both a chill in the air and a chance of wetter days to come.
