Cleveland, Ohio – Temperatures will surge into the mid-50s by midafternoon Friday, but gusty winds up to 25 mph could make travel tricky along I-90 and I-71 before colder air and light snow return this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, southwest winds will increase through Friday afternoon and evening as highs climb well above late-February averages. Cities including Akron, Elyria and Sandusky are expected to reach the low to mid-50s. While dry conditions dominate Friday, drivers on elevated stretches of I-480 and I-77 may notice steady crosswinds during the evening commute.
A cold front moves across northern Ohio on Saturday, bringing a shift back to cooler air and a chance for minor snow accumulations Saturday night into early Sunday. Most areas are expected to see around 1 inch of snow or less, but even light accumulation could create slick patches on bridges and untreated secondary roads.
Snow may begin after 9 p.m. Saturday and continue into the early morning hours Sunday. I-90 from Cleveland to Ashtabula and I-71 south toward Mansfield could see reduced visibility during brief bursts of snow.
By Sunday morning, temperatures will fall back into the 20s and 30s, increasing the risk of refreezing on wet pavement. Drivers should allow extra travel time late Saturday night and early Sunday, reduce speeds and maintain safe following distance.
Milder air may return early next week, but colder conditions will dominate the latter half of the weekend. Additional updates are possible if snowfall totals trend higher.
