Cleveland woke up Monday, May 11, to crystal-clear skies and a brisk 46°F reading at Burke Lakefront Airport, while inland neighborhoods scraped frost off windshields. A Frost Advisory remains in effect for inland areas until 8 a.m. EDT Monday, May 11, so tender spring plants and any unprotected outdoor plumbing are better off indoors for a few more hours.
Today And This Evening
Monday stays mostly sunny, with the afternoon high topping out near 56°F and a west breeze around 5 to 10 mph that will ease later in the day. Tonight looks mostly clear with a low near 40°F as winds turn northeast, and that means frost could redevelop inland early Tuesday morning, May 12.
Looking beyond the chill, the National Weather Service's local forecast and discussion call for a shift to a wetter pattern starting Tuesday night into Wednesday, with gusts up to 30 mph and roughly a quarter to a half inch of rain in the cards. For the latest details, check NWS Cleveland. We first spotlighted this setup in our earlier frost-to-thunder outlook.
Midweek Rain And Thunder
The main stretch of steady rain and occasional thunderstorms is expected from Tuesday evening, May 12, through Wednesday, May 13, as a cold front sweeps east across the region. A few of those storms could pack brief heavy downpours and gusty winds that cut visibility and slow the commute, with localized ponding possible where drainage is poor. The wet pattern should start to wind down from west to east by Thursday night, May 14, although a few spotty showers may hang on in the usual lake-effect corridor.
Lake And Boating Impacts
Boaters will want to pay close attention from Tuesday night through Thursday, as southwest then west winds may crank up to 15 to 25 knots and build waves to around 3 to 4 feet. If winds trend any higher, a Small Craft Advisory may be needed. Expect choppy shorelines and higher-than-usual wave action on Lake Erie during the active period, and make sure loose gear is tied down or stowed. Anyone planning time on the water should check local marine forecasts before heading out.
Quick Tips For Clevelanders
Bring potted plants and other vulnerable outdoor items inside this morning and again Tuesday night if you can, and hold off on planting tender annuals until after the midweek warmup settles in. If you have outdoor plans from Tuesday evening through Wednesday, line up an indoor backup and give yourself extra time on the roads during heavier downpours. Stay tuned to local advisories and the National Weather Service for any updated frost headlines along with marine or high-wind alerts.
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