CLEVELAND, Ohio – Rain taps against windshields and gutters across northeast Ohio this early Thursday as fall storms continue to roll off Lake Erie. After a damp, breezy night, showers will persist through Friday morning, occasionally heavy enough to cause ponding on roads and minor flooding in low-lying spots from Mentor to Medina.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain is possible through early Friday, with higher totals in lakeshore counties. West winds will gust near 30 mph, especially along I-90 and the Shoreway, where visibility may drop in heavier bursts of rain. Commuters should allow extra travel time and avoid driving through standing water, as drainage systems may briefly struggle to keep up.
The system gradually shifts east by Friday evening, pulling cooler, drier air across northern Ohio. Highs will hold near the low 50s before skies clear Friday night. The weekend looks markedly calmer — Saturday will bring crisp sunshine and highs in the mid-50s, while Sunday turns a touch warmer, perfect for late-season yard work or fall festivals.
Farther inland, residents may notice the season’s first hints of frost early next week as calmer winds and clear skies return. Across the broader Midwest, this same cold front is ending the growing season from Iowa to Virginia, solidifying late October’s pivot toward early winter patterns.
For Cleveland, this week’s soaking rain may be the last widespread system before attention shifts to colder air — and the first whispers of possible lake-effect flurries as November approaches.
Five-Day Forecast for Cleveland, OH:
Thu: 54/45 – Showers; gusts near 30 mph, heavy at times.
Fri: 52/43 – Showers early; clearing, breezy and cool.
Sat: 54/40 – Sunny, crisp; light northwest wind.
Sun: 57/40 – Mostly sunny; pleasant fall day.
Mon: 57/43 – Partly cloudy; cooler start to the week.
