Ohio — Breath clouds the air instantly along the lakeshore, and steel railings sting bare skin as northern Ohio starts the day in a hard winter grip. The cold is not dramatic, but it is relentless.
Temperatures around Cleveland hover near 9 degrees early this morning, with steady winds pushing wind chills well below zero. Some areas across northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania briefly dropped into the -5 to -15 range, making prolonged outdoor exposure dangerous.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, low temperatures stay near a decade below zero through the morning hours before modest daytime recovery. Afternoon highs reach only the upper teens to near 20, keeping pavement cold and icy. A slight chance of snow lingers early, but most areas stay dry through the day.
Cold remains locked in tonight, with lows near 4 degrees. Monday turns mostly cloudy, with highs near 27. Roads may improve slightly during daylight, but refreezing becomes a concern after sunset, especially on bridges along I-90 and secondary roads inland from Lake Erie.
Attention shifts to Monday night and Tuesday, when a weak system could bring light snow. Accumulations stay under an inch, but even minor snowfall can create slick conditions given the cold ground. Tuesday night temperatures drop back into the single digits.
By Wednesday, clouds break at times, though highs remain near 20. Additional snow chances increase late in the week, with a better signal for snow Thursday night into Friday. Winter remains firmly in control.
This persistent cold connects to a broader Great Lakes pattern. With the lakes nearing 50 percent ice coverage, moderating influences weaken, allowing Arctic air to linger longer across northern Ohio.
Limit time outdoors, cover exposed skin, and plan extra travel time during colder mornings and evenings. Even small changes can have big impacts in this cold.
How low did wind chills feel where you are today?
Five-Day Outlook for Cleveland, Ohio
- Monday: Mostly cloudy, high near 27; low near 19
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, high near 27; low near 8
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, high near 20; low near 7
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high near 24; low near 17
- Friday: Snow possible, high near 32; low near 6
