Cleveland woke up under a murky glow today as haze and a noticeable smoke layer settled in over the city, keeping early-morning temperatures near 70°F under partly cloudy skies. Visibility drops at times along the lakefront, and inland neighborhoods are getting a softer, filtered sun with that stubborn haze hanging on.
Air Quality and Beach Advisories
An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for much of Northeast Ohio through midnight tonight, 12:00 a.m., and tomorrow, July 20. Children, older adults, and anyone with heart or lung disease are urged to limit outdoor time and consider using an N95 mask if they have to be outside. On top of that, a Beach Hazards Statement covers Cuyahoga and nearby lakeshore counties until 8 a.m. today, July 19, with a high risk of rip currents that makes swimming unsafe this morning. Both advisories are posted by the National Weather Service.
Today and Early Week Outlook
Today looks mostly sunny once you filter out the haze, with a high near 78°F. Tomorrow brings a brief warm-up to around 85°F, followed by highs near 86°F on Tuesday, July 21. Showers and thunderstorms are likely late tonight into Tuesday, with rain chances hitting 90% on Tuesday and localized totals in the 0.5 to 0.75 inch range, some storms could pack strong winds or turn severe. Cooler, drier air slides in by midweek, nudging highs back into the mid-70s. Check local forecasts for the exact timing and any watches or warnings.
What Locals Should Do
If you smell smoke or already deal with respiratory issues, stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces and skip strenuous outdoor activity, keep windows closed and run your A/C on recirculate when you can. Several local recreation centers have extended hours to offer clean, cooled spaces during the smoke episode, but check local listings for any closures or program changes before heading out. If you are planning a lakefront visit, stay out of the water this morning and follow lifeguard and official instructions because of the dangerous rip current risk. For local coverage of clean-air resources and extended center hours, see Axios.
