Tuesday is starting off sticky in Cleveland, with mostly clear skies and temperatures hovering around 72°F, and forecasters expect the heat to build into the upper 80s this afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to fire later in the day and could roll into the city right around the evening commute.
Storm Timing And Main Hazards
Thunderstorms are most likely to develop late this afternoon and push east, with the primary window for stronger storms running from about 5 p.m. Tuesday in the western suburbs to roughly 10 p.m. Tuesday farther east. The National Weather Service has placed parts of northern Ohio in a Slight Risk for severe weather, with damaging wind highlighted as the main concern and the possibility of isolated hail or a brief tornado. Pockets of heavy rain are also on the table, ranging from a few tenths of an inch to more than half an inch, with locally higher totals where storms stall.
Boaters will want to keep a close eye on Lake Erie. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect this afternoon through the evening, with gusts expected in the 25 to 30 kt range, about 29 to 35 mph, and waves building in the open waters, according to the National Weather Service Cleveland.
Afternoon Commute And Outdoor Plans
This afternoon will feature breezy southwest winds, sustained around 10 to 20 mph with gusts into the 20 to 30 mph range and stronger gusts possible near thunderstorms. That combo, heat plus wind plus downpours, could make driving on wet roads tricky and may topple unsecured yard items.
A May 17 preview already flagged the risk for this setup, and this update tightens the timing and wind concerns for tonight's commute, per an earlier Hoodline post on the threat.
Tonight Into Wednesday
Showers and thunderstorms are likely to continue into Tuesday night, with an elevated chance for heavy pockets of rainfall and gusty winds. Overnight lows will fall into the mid 50s, then edge back into the low 60s where rain lingers.
Behind the front, much cooler air arrives on Wednesday, with highs dropping roughly 20 to 30 degrees from today so most spots only reach the upper 50s. The change will feel especially raw near Lake Erie, where brisk north to northeast winds will keep things chilly. For more detail on the timing, see the National Weather Service Cleveland.
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