Today, Cleveland woke up mostly cloudy and around 68°F, but the calm start is not here to stay. A soggy, blustery day is closing in, with showers and embedded thunderstorms expected to ramp up through the afternoon and roll on into tonight, bringing gusty southwest winds and pockets of heavy rain.
What to expect Tuesday
Periods of rain will grow more widespread between midmorning and the afternoon, with the steadiest and heaviest rain expected from about 10 a.m. to early this evening. Highs should top out near 67°F before sliding into the mid-50s late in the day, and winds will occasionally gust into the 20 to 25 mph range. Rain is likely to turn steady at times, with the heaviest bands cutting visibility and causing the most headaches for drivers.
Flooding risk and timing
The National Weather Service in Cleveland says the axis of heaviest rainfall has nudged slightly southeast and that “confidence is increasing for some nuisance and/or minor river flooding.” NWS Cleveland notes that many locations could pick up roughly one-half to three-quarters of an inch of rain, with another three-quarters of an inch to 1 inch possible overnight and isolated higher totals east of I-71. No flood watches were in effect as of Tuesday morning.
Midweek cooldown
Behind the front, colder air settles in on Wednesday and Thursday, with highs in the mid-50s and overnight lows dipping into the 30s, so a frost threat is on the table later this week. Showers are expected to taper on Wednesday before rain chances creep back in late in the week and into the weekend.
What locals should do
Secure lightweight outdoor items, budget extra time for the commute, and keep the rain gear within reach. If you encounter pooled or flowing water on a roadway, turn around; do not drive through it. For updated details as the system moves through, keep an eye on this wild week of weather coverage and the latest advisories from the National Weather Service.
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