Ohio – A dim, gray lid hangs over Cleveland this morning as crisp air settles across the lakeshore, wet pavement glints under streetlights, and a steady northeast breeze carries the unmistakable scent of late-November change. Early Thanksgiving travelers feel the chill first along I-90 and the Shoreway, where slow-moving traffic and damp roads call for patient driving and well-timed departures.
According to the National Weather Service Cleveland office, mostly cloudy skies dominate today with temperatures struggling through the 40s. Winds remain light but keep the air cool across Cuyahoga and Lake counties. Travelers should prepare for longer commute times, as reduced contrast under thick clouds makes spotting brake lights harder, especially during the morning push.
According to meteorologists, rain chances increase late tonight into early Friday as a weak wave approaches from the west. Most rainfall stays light, though pockets of steady precipitation may form after sunrise Friday. To be fair, this isn’t a high-impact system, but it could slow early-holiday trips, particularly west of the city along I-480 and I-71. Drivers should monitor timing if heading toward Toledo or Columbus.
According to NWS guidance, Saturday brings a modest clearing trend with highs near 50. Sunday turns brighter with pleasant sunshine for late-November, ideal for outdoor cleanup or early Christmas decorating. Still, models hint at an early “winter tease” by Tuesday as colder air pushes south. A minor lake-enhanced flurry chance may develop north of Route 2. No accumulation is expected, but the pattern signals the type of temperature whiplash common before Thanksgiving in northern states.
With exactly one week until Thanksgiving, travel volumes increase quickly. Moisture lingering today and Friday, combined with chillier air next week, makes timing especially important for long-distance drivers.
Five-Day Forecast for Cleveland, OH:
Sat: 50/37 – Partly sunny; cool and calmer.
Sun: 54/41 – Mostly sunny; good travel window.
Mon: 49/38 – Mostly cloudy; slight drizzle chance.
Tue: 50/39 – Colder; brief flurry risk near the lake.
Wed: 48/36 – Clear and crisp; smooth Thanksgiving travel.
