CLEVELAND, Ohio – Frosted windshields and a biting wind off Lake Erie mark the start of a frigid early December day in Northeast Ohio. The sun may peek briefly through midmorning, but make no mistake — winter is tightening its grip across Cuyahoga County.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, temperatures remain locked in the 20s today, warming only slightly under filtered sunshine. A developing system over the upper Midwest will spread clouds east tonight, followed by a wintry mix Saturday morning that may include light snow or freezing rain before shifting to all snow by afternoon. Accumulations will stay light, but roads could turn slick, especially north of I-480 and along I-90 toward Ashtabula.
The main snow event arrives Sunday as lake-effect bands strengthen. Meteorologists expect a coating to two inches of accumulation for most areas, with localized totals higher east of the city. Visibility may drop quickly under heavier bursts, particularly near the lakeshore and the Route 2 corridor. Winds from the west-northwest will add a chill, keeping “feels-like” temperatures in the teens.
By Monday, conditions dry out but the Arctic air lingers — highs only reach the upper 20s with a stiff breeze off the lake. Looking ahead, models hint at a renewed round of snow chances between December 11 and 17 as another cold wave digs into the Great Lakes, potentially complicating early holiday travel.
Drivers should plan extra time for commutes this weekend, carry a winter kit, and check pavement temperatures before hitting the road.
How are conditions near your neighborhood this morning? Send in your snow or road reports.
Five-Day Forecast for Cleveland, OH:
Fri: 32/22 – Mostly sunny; brisk southwest wind developing.
Sat: 36/26 – Cloudy; light snow or freezing rain mix early.
Sun: 35/22 – Snow likely; 1–2” possible, slower travel east of I-90.
Mon: 29/18 – Partly sunny; cold wind chills in teens.
Tue: 36/30 – Mostly cloudy; snow chance late, Arctic pattern persists.
