Cleveland woke up in a steam bath today, with temperatures already near 70°F and climbing fast. The city is headed for a hot, mostly sunny and dry day, with the afternoon high expected to land near 91°F.
A Heat Advisory is in effect from noon to 8 p.m. EDT today for Cuyahoga County and several neighboring counties, with heat index values projected to reach around 100 to 101 this afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, residents should drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. The advisory covers Erie, Huron, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Hancock, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood counties.
Afternoon Heat and Impacts
By midday, the sun will be in full force with west winds around 6 to 12 mph and a high near 91°F. The humidity will make it feel worse, pushing apparent temperatures into the mid 90s to around 100 in inland neighborhoods, while lakeshore spots hang on to slightly cooler readings.
Strenuous outdoor chores are best saved for early morning or later in the evening when the sun eases up. And it bears repeating: do not leave people or pets in parked cars during the hottest part of the day, even for a short time.
Wednesday And Weekend Outlook
Forecasters say this is not the peak of the heat just yet. Heat indices could top out in the low to mid 100s tomorrow, and more advisories are likely as the air mass sticks around. A weak front sliding through late in the week is expected to break the ridge and bring a higher chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday into the weekend, with the best odds Saturday night.
For background on the broader heat wave and local cooling options, see our June 29 coverage, triple-digit heat index turns midweek into a sauna.
Plan Ahead
Keep plenty of water on hand, plan to spend the worst of the afternoon in air-conditioned spaces, and check in on neighbors and older family members who may struggle with the heat.
Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, or nausea. If someone shows these symptoms, move them into the shade, cool them with wet cloths, offer small sips of water, and call 911 if their condition gets worse instead of improving.
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