Thursday morning, March 12, 2026, Cleveland is waking up cloudy and chilly, with temperatures parked in the mid‑30s (about 36°F) and a brisk northwest breeze cutting across the city. Skies are expected to clear to mostly sunny this afternoon with a high near 42°F. It will be the calm before a much stronger system rolls in Friday, so it is a good time to get ready.
High Wind Watch For Friday, March 13
A High Wind Watch covers much of northeast Ohio from Friday morning through Friday evening, March 13, 2026, as a strong low moves through the region. Forecasts call for southwest to west winds sustained in the teens to upper 20s mph, with gusts of 45–55 mph possible and locally higher gusts near the lakeshore and in western counties. Damaging winds could knock down branches and power lines, and travel will be hazardous for high‑profile vehicles, according to NWS Cleveland.
Timing, Precipitation And The Weekend
Winds start to ramp up late Thursday night and sharpen Friday morning. Early Friday there is a small chance of light snow before 11 a.m., with temperatures turning milder and a change to rain possible by Friday afternoon when highs approach the low 50s (around 52°F). Another stronger system is expected Sunday into Monday, March 15–16, which could bring heavier rain and a rain/snow mix along with additional gusty winds. Expect periods of travel disruption on and off through the weekend as forecasts are refined.
What To Do Before The Wind Hits
Bring in or tie down loose outdoor items, trim weak branches near homes and vehicles, and secure construction materials that could blow away. If you must drive Friday, give yourself extra time, watch for falling debris, and avoid driving high‑profile vehicles when possible. Charge phones, have flashlights ready in case of outages, and stay away from downed wires, reporting them to your utility immediately.
Where To Watch
We covered the earlier wind threat in our earlier wind threat; for the newest watches, marine advisories and any upgrades check the NWS Cleveland page and local utility and transit accounts. We will update this post if the High Wind Watch is upgraded to a warning or other products are issued.
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