Cleveland, OH – The final days before Thanksgiving could bring the first true taste of winter for northern Ohio. Clouds are already thickening this morning over Lake Erie, setting the stage for several rounds of rain, wind, and possibly snow before the holiday rush peaks.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, rain develops Tuesday afternoon and continues through Tuesday night. A sharp cold front sweeps through Wednesday, dropping temperatures from the mid-50s into the 30s by evening. That plunge could turn late-day rain into wet snow, especially near the lakefront and across Cuyahoga, Lake, and Ashtabula counties.
Forecasters expect breezy conditions Wednesday night, with gusts topping 35 mph—enough to reduce visibility and create difficult travel across higher terrain and the I-90 corridor. Thanksgiving Day stays chilly and unsettled, with highs near 36°F and scattered lake-effect snow bands possible through midday.
The National Weather Service notes increasing confidence in hazardous travel conditions Wednesday into Friday, particularly in the snowbelt areas east of Cleveland. While exact snow totals remain uncertain, residents should prepare for slippery roads and colder air lasting through the weekend.
5-Day Outlook:
- Tuesday: Rain developing, 55°F.
- Wednesday: Windy, rain changing to snow, 36°F.
- Thanksgiving Day: Snow likely, windy, 35°F.
- Friday: Snow showers, 33°F.
- Saturday–Sunday: Cold, scattered flurries, highs mid-30s.
