Cleveland, OH – Temperatures will plunge below freezing Sunday evening, dropping into the low 20s by early Monday and putting crops, gardens, and outdoor plumbing at immediate risk across northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, a Freeze Watch is in effect from Sunday evening through Monday morning for a large portion of the region, including Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, Youngstown, Mansfield, and extending into Erie, Pennsylvania. In northwest Ohio, a Frost Advisory is also in place from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, with temperatures near 34°F expected to produce early morning frost.
By late Sunday night, the coldest air will settle across inland areas from Findlay and Bucyrus to Canton and Warren, where temperatures could fall into the lower 20s. Lakeshore communities such as Lorain, Ashtabula, and Erie may stay slightly warmer but still drop below freezing. Major corridors including I-90, I-71, and I-80 should remain dry, though frost may form on vehicles and exposed surfaces early Sunday.
The prolonged freeze overnight into Monday morning could kill unprotected vegetation and damage exposed plumbing. Residents should cover or bring in plants, drain hoses, and insulate pipes. Farmers across counties from Lucas and Wood to Summit and Mahoning should take protective action now.
Temperatures will recover after mid-morning Monday, but additional alerts may be issued if colder conditions develop or expand.
