Cleveland woke up to cloudy skies and mid‑30s temperatures Friday, but the real headache is riding in on the wind. A High Wind Warning is in effect from 8 AM Friday, March 13, through 2 AM Saturday, March 14, 2026, with gusts strong enough to knock down trees and power lines. Southwest winds will ramp up through the day, and scattered rain or even a quick band of light snow could make the morning commute messy. Plan on slower travel, flying lawn chairs, and the potential for localized power outages this afternoon into tonight.
Afternoon Winds Crank Up
Southwest winds will strengthen through the morning and peak this afternoon, with sustained winds of 25–35 mph and gusts of 50–60 mph possible in exposed locations. According to the National Weather Service, the strongest gusts are most likely from late morning into the afternoon as stronger winds aloft mix down to the surface. Drivers of high‑profile vehicles should be especially careful on bridges and open stretches of road, where crosswinds can shove you around more than you might expect.
Timing And Precipitation
Light snow is most likely before 10 AM Friday, March 13, then a changeover to light rain is possible by midday as temperatures climb into the upper 40s before sliding back into the low 40s late in the afternoon. Precipitation amounts should be minimal, generally less than a tenth of an inch, but wind‑driven showers can briefly cut visibility and turn already wet pavement slick. If you have morning travel, give yourself some extra time and watch for slippery spots on bridges and overpasses.
Prepare For Outages
Damaging gusts could snap tree limbs and take down power lines, leading to scattered outages across the city. Cleveland Public Power customers should report outages to 216‑664‑3156 or check the outage map on the Cleveland Public Power website. FirstEnergy customers can use the company outage portal or call 1‑888‑544‑4877. If you see a downed wire, keep your distance, assume it is live, and call 911 right away.
Quick Context
We first flagged the gusty setup in an earlier forecast on March 9, but the system has since trended stronger and the NWS upgraded parts of the area to a High Wind Warning; see our March 9 storm outlook for background. The National Weather Service also notes that another low may bring a second round of strong winds Sunday into Monday, so keep an eye on updates if you have outdoor plans this weekend.
.jpg){kind=link}