Clevelanders might want to batten down the hatches, as upcoming weather conditions suggest a windy affair on the horizon. The National Weather Service out of Cleveland has issued a forecast pointing to "a strong low pressure system" slated to glide across the northern Great Lakes, stirring up what seems to be quite the meteorological brew. Forecasters expect this system to tug a warm front across the region Wednesday night, only to chase it with a cold front the following night.
In practical terms, this means Thursday afternoon could get soggy, with "rain and wind" on the menu, "the precipitation forecast as been relatively consistent," as reported by NWS. The weather specialists anticipate a 100% chance of rain during the afternoon to early evening hours. While this means umbrellas will be out in full force, so too will wind-fighting efforts as southerly gusts are predicted to reach a brisk 30-40 mph—some areas might even see isolated gusts up to 45-50 mph, especially before the rain moves in, which could rattle some windowpanes and make for a bad hair day, link the least.
As Thursday night rolls in, temperatures are expected to take a nosedive "from the upper 40s to below freezing by daybreak Friday," according to NWS. This tumble is courtesy of a cold front, which is part of a one-two punch from the low-pressure juggernaut passing overhead. Snow might not be far behind, as "lake effect snow" could develop, particularly targeting Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania, with accumulations swinging between 1-5, depending on your exact locale.
Vying for attention with the snow is the lake itself, as mariners on Lake Erie are advised to be cautious—current forecasts call for "waves as large as 5 to 11 feet," which should diminish by evening. The National Weather Service notes that although the western basin of the lake is mostly ice-covered, the warm conditions and strong winds will likely foster ice decay, renewing the small craft advisory and possibly summoning a Gale Warning into the night as winds might kick up quite a frenzy reaching nearly 40 knots, which for those on land means it's a good time to ensure those Christmas decorations are securely fastened.
As we usher in the weekend, likely still sweeping up debris from the windy onslaught, another low-pressure system is forecasted to brush past us on Saturday, though it promises to be gentler on our weathered sensibilities. According to National Weather Service, breezy conditions are to persist with the possibility of low precipitation chances Saturday night. By Sunday, we can expect "high pressure" to restore a sense of calm and extend through the beginning of next week.
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