It is a chilly start in Cleveland this morning, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, with mostly clear skies and temperatures stuck in the mid-30s at Burke Lakefront Airport. The cold snap will be brief, though. Southerly winds return later today and should nudge highs into the upper 60s to near 70 by afternoon. Expect a quick flip from frosty lawns at dawn to a mild, blustery afternoon.
Freeze Warning This Morning
A Freeze Warning remains in effect for much of northeast Ohio until 10:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Frost and sub-freezing temperatures could harm tender plants and unprotected outdoor plumbing. For background and tips on protecting vegetation, see how Cleveland wakes up in the freezer. If you still have hoses attached or seedlings outside, bring them in before the warning lifts.
Afternoon And Evening Outlook
Mostly sunny skies are expected with a high near 70 and south winds of 12 to 18 mph, with gusts up to 29 mph, so a gusty afternoon commute is likely. Showers and thunderstorms become likely Tuesday night after about 8:00 PM, with a low near 54 and new rainfall amounts generally between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. Forecasters at NWS Cleveland have the latest timing and probabilities for tonight's storms.
What To Do
Cover or move potted and tender plants and disconnect garden hoses until the freeze danger passes this morning. Drivers should be ready for sudden downpours and gusty crosswinds on bridges and elevated roadways, and anyone boating nearshore on Lake Erie should exercise caution as winds increase. If you have outdoor evening plans, keep a backup option or small shelter in mind in case storms move through.
Looking Ahead
Wednesday looks mostly sunny with highs in the mid-60s, followed by a warmup into the low to mid-70s on Thursday and Friday. Another round of rain and a higher chance of thunderstorms is possible Friday night into Saturday before cooler, drier air returns for the weekend.
