From 60s to Snow: Cleveland Braces for a Wild 48 Hours

Sunday morning, March 15, Cleveland woke up to cloudy skies, temperatures near 41°F, and southeast winds already starting to flex. The warmup will be quick, with much of northern Ohio expected to reach the upper 60s by late afternoon, but that springlike feel comes with a catch: increasingly gusty winds that could complicate the evening commute. It is a good day to keep an eye on changing conditions and local alerts before heading out.

A Wind Advisory is in effect from 2 PM Sunday, March 15, through 8 AM Monday, March 16. A High Wind Warning also covers parts of the Erie County lakeshore, where gusts up to 50 mph are possible. Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor objects and use extra caution on roads and bridges, especially if driving a high-profile vehicle, according to NWS Cleveland.

Afternoon Winds Pick Up

Southeast winds will generally run 12 to 24 mph this afternoon, with stronger bursts pushing gusts into the 40 to 45 mph range during peak heating. The setup will be most noticeable on exposed lakeshore routes and over bridges, where drivers can expect sudden, sharp gusts when crossing open stretches.

Late Night Showers Could Bring Stronger Gusts

A cold front will sweep through late tonight, bringing a chance of rain showers and the potential for stronger gusts inside heavier bands. Most of Sunday should stay dry, but scattered overnight showers could pack brief wind bursts that may toss around unsecured items and cause minor, localized travel delays.

Cold Flip and Snow Monday Night

Once the front moves through, temperatures drop quickly. After highs near 68°F on Sunday, Monday will feel noticeably cooler, and by Monday night into Tuesday, March 16 to 17, winter tries for a comeback. Snow showers are likely across northern Ohio, with the primary snowbelt looking at light accumulations of about 1 to 4 inches and a few slick spots possible on untreated surfaces. For background on earlier coverage, see our earlier wind advisory coverage.

Bottom line, secure the patio furniture, expect a bumpy afternoon and evening commute in the wind today, and be ready for a sharp temperature drop with light snow in spots Monday night. Keep phone alerts on and check the NWS or local transit agencies before traveling, especially if you rely on buses or ferries.