CLEVELAND, Ohio – Northeast Ohio enjoys calm, sunny fall weather through midweek, but a sharp temperature drop will bring the first widespread frost of the season inland by Thursday night. While the Cleveland metro stays milder near the lake, colder air will grip interior counties — a reminder that true fall chill has arrived.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, highs today and Wednesday will stay in the upper 60s to low 70s under mostly sunny skies. Light north winds will persist through midweek before shifting east Thursday as cooler air arrives. Overnight lows will tumble into the 30s for inland areas like Medina, Wayne, and Holmes Counties, where patchy frost could damage unprotected gardens or late-season crops.
The frost risk peaks Thursday night into early Friday morning, with lake-effect moderation keeping shoreline communities a few degrees warmer. Residents are urged to cover sensitive plants, drain outdoor hoses, and bring pets indoors as nighttime temperatures dip near freezing away from Lake Erie.
By Friday night, clouds increase and a new system moves in from the west, bringing 40–60% rain chances into Saturday. Scattered showers and breezy conditions could make for slower travel along I-90 and I-480 through the weekend. Behind the rain, cooler air returns, holding highs in the 50s by Sunday.
Five-Day Forecast for Cleveland, OH:
Tue: 68/53 – Mostly sunny; light north wind.
Wed: 62/45 – Sunny; cool breeze from the north.
Thu: 60/42 – Clear; colder late with inland frost risk.
Fri: 67/54 – Partly sunny; turning breezy.
Sat: 76/47 – PM showers; 50% rain chance, cooler late.
