Cleveland, OH – Strong thunderstorms could rattle much of northern and central Ohio Tuesday afternoon and evening, bringing the risk of damaging wind gusts, large hail, and dangerous lightning during the evening commute.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 9 p.m. Tuesday for a wide stretch of the state, including Cuyahoga, Lucas, Summit, Stark, and Mahoning counties. The watch also covers communities along Lake Erie such as Toledo, Sandusky, Lorain, and Ashtabula, extending south toward Mansfield, Marion, and Wooster.
Storms moving east across the region may produce wind gusts capable of downing tree limbs and scattered power lines. Large hail is also possible in stronger cells. Drivers along Interstate 90, Interstate 75, and Interstate 71 could encounter sudden downpours and reduced visibility during peak travel hours.
Cities including Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, Youngstown, and Canton sit within the watch zone. Emergency managers advise residents to secure loose outdoor items and be prepared to move indoors quickly if warnings are issued. Charging mobile devices and enabling weather alerts is also recommended in case storms intensify.
The most active weather window is expected late afternoon through early evening as instability builds across the region.
The severe threat should gradually ease later Tuesday night as storms move east, though additional alerts could still be issued if storms strengthen.
