Cleveland is squeezing in one last warm, mostly dry day Thursday before a soaking rain moves in overnight. Cloudy skies and temperatures near 70 degrees early Thursday will give way to partly sunny conditions, with a high near 82 and only a slight chance of a morning shower near the lakeshore.
Southerly to southwesterly winds of 8 to 15 knots will accompany the afternoon warming. The National Weather Service says the warm spell will be brief, with a cold front bringing a sharper change by Friday.
Rain Arrives Thursday Night
Rain showers are expected later Thursday night or shortly after midnight Friday. A few thunderstorms could mix in overnight, and rainfall totals of roughly a quarter-inch to a half-inch are possible before morning.
Friday will stay cloudy and wet, with rain showers likely continuing into the afternoon before tapering off around 2 p.m. The high should reach only about 66 degrees, while additional rainfall could push the storm total toward one-half to three-quarters of an inch in parts of the region.
Sunny Weekend Brings A Noticeable Cooldown
Dry weather returns Friday night, when skies turn partly cloudy and temperatures fall to around 52 degrees. Saturday looks sunny with a high near 65, followed by another sunny day Sunday that should reach about 69.
The cooler pattern will linger into next week, with highs near 62 Monday and 60 Tuesday and overnight lows in the mid-30s to low 40s. Interior areas of northeast Ohio could see the season's first frost Monday or Tuesday night, while Cleveland remains closer to the lake's moderating influence.
