Cleveland woke up to clear skies and an early warmup Monday, with about 73°F logged at Burke Lakefront Airport. The National Weather Service is calling for a high near 88°F this afternoon, the first near-90 day of the season for many neighborhoods, with south winds of 10 to 17 mph and gusts up to around 28 mph. Showers and thunderstorms are likely tonight into Tuesday, and a few storms could turn strong to severe with damaging wind gusts and hail before a cooler front drops temperatures on Wednesday.
Afternoon Heat And Gusty Winds
Forecasters say inland neighborhoods should climb into the upper 80s while lakeshore spots stay a few degrees cooler. South winds are expected to pick up through the afternoon, with gusts into the upper 20s, so count on a noticeably breezy day and more dust and pollen getting kicked around. The Weather Service notes the heat will be short lived, as a northwest flow and frontal passage bring a cooldown by midweek.
Storm Timing And Threats
A slight chance of showers may develop late Monday night, roughly between 10 and 11 p.m., but the better setup for organized showers and thunderstorms arrives Tuesday afternoon into the evening, generally between about 2 and 10 p.m. Stronger storms on Tuesday could produce damaging straight-line winds, with forecasters mentioning gusts up to 60 mph in the most severe cells, along with large hail. Northern counties also face a low end tornado risk. Anyone with outdoor plans on Tuesday should monitor radar frequently and be ready to head indoors quickly if storms approach.
Lake Erie And Commute Impacts
Boaters on Lake Erie should keep an eye out for sudden gusts and brief heavy downpours, as thunderstorms over the water can produce gusts above 35 knots, and Small Craft Advisories may be needed Tuesday. The Monday evening commute looks breezy but mainly dry, while the bigger travel headaches are more likely Tuesday evening if storms develop as expected. Drivers should plan for extra travel time, steer clear of flooded streets, and secure loose outdoor items before the gusty conditions arrive.
Bottom Line
Hot, breezy weather rules Monday, then a higher chance of storms rolls in Tuesday before a sharp cool down on Wednesday. For background on the recent pattern and how gusty storms have affected rush hours, see how gusty storms have affected rush hours.
.jpg){kind=link}