Record Warm to End

The local area is closing out what will be a record warm year on a very seasonable note. Temperature since December 21 have generally been above normal; a cold front passage yesterday brought temperatures down to normal levels. Over this weekend and into the beginning of the work week above normal temperatures will return as a deep trough develops over the Western US. This trough will expand to cover much of the County by the middle of next week allowing below normal temperatures to spread east.

Currently the local area is experiencing seasonably cold air after a cold front moved through yesterday evening. Lake effect snow overnight produced one to four inches of snow for areas from Cleveland eastward. Lake effect showers have been diminishing through the day will minor additional accumulations for areas where they have persisted. Temperatures today have been steady around thirty (30) degrees.

On Saturday a storm system will move through the Great Lakes region forcing a warm front north of the area. Light rain and snow showers will develop during the day with no accumulations expected. High temperatures are expected to approach forty (40). On Sunday conditions will be dry with high temperatures approaching forty (40) once again.

On Monday a major storm system will be taking shape over the Central Plains. Warm air will be pumped north from the Gulf of Mexico with local high temperatures approaching fifty (50). Severe thunderstorms will be possible across the lower Mississippi Valley as snow and ice spreads across the Northern Plains.

On Tuesday the storm system will move into the Great Lakes Region. The local area will remain in the warm sector with showers over spreading the area. High temperatures will be be in the fifties (50's).

On Wednesday an arctic front will sweep through the local area early in the day. High temperatures will be reached early with temperatures falling into the twenties. Lake  effect snow showers will be possible with accumulations to be determined closer to the event. This will be the beginning of a period of below normal temperatures for the local area and much of the Country.

Arctic Blast and Snow!

The cold air is on the doorstep as anticipated .A strong storm system is spinning  north of Lake Superior and will rotate a trough of low pressure through the area bringing with it very cold air. This cold air will generate heavy lake effect snows downwind of the Great Lakes. Another storm system will move through the second half of the weekend with a general snowfall. There will be little time for the air to moderate as a colder air mass than the one set to arrive this week will arrive for the middle of next week. Welcome to winter! 

 Today was a quiet and dry day across the area. Sunshine was plentiful before noon and allowed high temperatures to approach forty (40). A cold air mass is set to arrive tomorrow morning and temperatures will not rise much if at all above thirty (30) Winds out of the west and southwest will focus the snowfall up the shoreline from Cleveland. Overnight the winds are expect to veer to the west and later northwest pushing the lake effect snow bands into much of Northern Ohio.

Friday appears to be the snowiest day of this event. Lake effect snows, at times heavy,  are expected to affect areas from Lorain County and east. During the overnight the snows will move back up the shoreline as winds back to the west and then the southwest. Saturday should be generally dry once the lake effect snows come to an end. Expect high temperatures on Friday and Saturday to be around thirty(30).

Snow fall amounts for this snow event will be the heaviest in the prime snow belt where more than a foot of snow will be possible. Across Cuyahoga County snowfall may range from 4 to 12 inches.

On Sunday a storm system will approach the region from the west. At this time the track and strength is uncertain. In general a synoptic snow is expected during the day with some areas possibly mixing with or changing over to a cold rain. High temperatures will be in the thirties (30's). Monday should be quiet as this system departs from the region leaving temperatures in the lower to middle thirties (30's).

On Tuesday the next arctic front will be on our door step. Temperatures will either rise early and then fall or fall all day into the 20's. Wednesday appears to the be coldest day of the period with high temperatures possibly not rising above twenty (20)!

Above is the preliminary November 29-30, 2016 tornado outbreak. Approximately forty-two tornadoes touched down during the the two days causing the deaths of five individuals.

Calm Before Winter's Arrival

The Cleveland area is currently experiencing very seasonable conditions for the beginning of meteorological winter. November 2016 was the second warmest November on record and it has helped make Fall 2016 the second warmest on record. This past November was also the FIFTH consecutive month that the area has experienced a top ten warmest month.  This very warm stretch of weather is about to come to a crashing halt, at least for the time being, if the predictions for next week are accurate. The present weather conditions were brought on by a very vigorous system which help generate deadly tornadoes and wild fires across the South. A vigorous slow moving storm system fanned wild fires around and into Gatlinburg, TN causing destruction and killing several people on Monday. On Tuesday the system produce severe thunderstorms from Louisiana to Tennessee which generated numerous tornadoes and five deaths. On Wednesday the storms push further east and generated more tornadoes from Florida through North Carolina. At this present time more than forty (40) tornadoes have been confirmed.

Currently seasonably cool air has arrived. Conditions today were cloudy with scattered lake effect rain and snow showers. High temperatures reached the lower forties (40's).  Conditions will be similar tomorrow with the showers decreasing through the day; high temperatures will be around forty (40).

On Sunday a weak system will be approaching the area.  Warm air advection will generate light rain or snow showers across the area during the afternoon and evening hours. Amounts of either will be light so no major issues area expected. High temperatures will once again be around forty (40).  A major piece of energy affecting the NW States with rain and snow will bring major weather changes to the entire Country by the end of the week.

On Monday conditions locally will be quiet with temperatures in the forties (40's) Arctic air will begin to plunge into the Inter Mountain West as the strong storm system creates a deep trough. Additional energy along the gulf coast will create a low pressure near Texas which will bring rain and possible thunderstorms to the Gulf States.

 On Tuesday the low pressure will be moving through the Ohio Valley. Its track and timing at this time is uncertain As it moves north arctic air will continue to spread south and east.  The local area will be wet and experience high temperatures in the forties (40's).

Wednesday will be the transition day for the area. Rain and mild conditions will continue as low pressure approaches and moves through the area.  Depending on the track the cold front will move through either Wednesday night or Thursday night. Either way high temperatures will be in the forties (40's).

Arctic air will either be over the area or will arrive to the area on Thursday.  Once the strong cold front moves through lake effect snow will be generated downwind of the Great Lakes. This has the potential to be a major snow event where the bands set-up.  Thursday temperatures may begin in the thirties but will ultimately fall from there. Winter will be making its arrival known!

Winter's First Visit

After a long hot summer (hottest on record) and a very warm fall, winter will make its first appearance this weekend. A strong low pressure that is bringing the first snow storm of the season to the country will create a deep trough over the Northeast. As this occurs the coldest air of the season will arrive on strong flow out of the northwest. This deep trough will move progressively through and will be replaced by a ridge of high pressure. This will allow temperatures to recover to seasonable levels by the middle of the short holiday work week.

A strong area of low pressure is moving through the upper Midwest. Heavy snow with blizzard conditions are affecting Northern Minnesota. A strong cold front is moving through the Mississippi River Valley with showers and some thunderstorms near the Great Lakes Region. Before the cold moved through the local area, southerly winds brought record high temperatures (74) to the Cleveland area!

On Saturday the strong front will sweep through the area during the morning hours. Overnight temperatures near sixty (60) will be the highs for the day as temperatures will fall during the day. Rain showers will arrive early and then mix and change to snow after the noon hour. Overnight the snow showers will continue with an inch or two possible for most areas with more accumulations possible in the snow belt. Sunday lake effect snow showers will continue with additional minor accumulations possible for most and several inches possible for the snow belt.  The snow showers will end for most overnight Sunday; Monday will be dry. High temperatures will only reach the upper thirties (30's) for Sunday and Monday.

On Tuesday high pressure will be moving east as a storm system begins to organize over the Central Plains. Depending on the amount of return moisture and warm from the Gulf of Mexico severe weather may be possible from Kansas south to Texas. High temperatures across Northern Ohio will be in the middle forties (40's).

On Wednesday the storm system will be moving through the Mississippi River Valley region. Showers and possibly severe thunderstorms will be accompanying the cold front. Locally high temperatures will approach fifty (50) as rain overspreads the area.

Heat Returns

After the hot high temperatures on Sunday the local area has enjoyed a nice break from the heat during the work week.  High temperatures during the week were either in the upper seventies (70's) or lower eighties (80's). A complex of thunderstorms affected the area overnight Wednesday after spawning nearly a dozen tornadoes over Illinois.  Temperatures are headed back up this weekend before another cool front moves through during the early part of the work week.

 Today was a gorgeous day across Northern Ohio. Skies were clear, humidity low and temperatures rose to near eighty (80) degrees. Overnight conditions will be clear and starry with low temperatures around sixty (60).

Saturday will be another warm and delightful day across the area. High pressure will continue to be in control leading to high temperatures in the middle to upper eighties (80's). A storm system will move into the upper Plains leading to thunderstorms, possibly severe. Heat will intensify across the Southern States with high temperatures in the upper nineties (90's) to around one hundred (100). High temperatures Sunday will be hotter across Northern Ohio as they should reach the lower nineties (90's) with thunderstorms possible overnight.

On Monday a dying cool front will push through early in the day. This will allow high temperatures to remain well into the eighties (80's). A stronger cool front will move through Monday night possibly with showers and thunderstorms. High temperatures will be in the seventies (70's) on Tuesday and Wednesday with dry conditions.

On Thursday high pressure will move east of the region. This should set up a warm return flow and high temperatures will rise to around eighty (80) degrees.

Beautiful Weekend on Tap

Another beautiful and warm week was enjoyed across the region this week. Temperatures were generally above normal for the past week and Thursday's thunderstorms brought much needed rainfall for many. A cool front has moved through the area bringing lower humidity to the area.  Above normal temperatures will move back into the area over the weekend before much cooler air returns next week.  

The cool front that moved through the area yesterday has moved to the south and east today. An air mass with lower humidity has settled over the area. Local temperatures have not cooled behind the front as clear skies have allowed the strong June sun to produce high temperatures in the lower and middle eighties (80's). Severe thunderstorms accompanied the front as it moved through the Southeast.

The local area will experience a dry and very warm weekend with high temperatures in the middle to upper 80's on Saturday and Sunday.  A heat wave will begin in earnest over the Southwest as high pressure becomes establish over the Four Corners region. By Sunday the Desert Southwest will see temperatures approach one hundred and fifteen (115). Also severe thunderstorms will be possible across the Northern Plains as a strong cool front moves into the region.

On Monday the strong cool front will be moving into the Great Lakes region.  Showers and thunderstorms, some severe, will accompany its passage. High temperatures should reach the lower nineties (90's) before the front moves through the local area. The heat wave will peak across the Southwest with temperatures approaching the one hundred twenty (120) degree mark.  On Tuesday much cooler air will arrive to the local area with high temperatures remaining in the seventies (70's). 

On Wednesday and Thursday cool high pressure will be in firm control of the local area's weather.  Conditions will remain dry and cool with high temperatures in the lower and middle seventies (70's)

By next Friday high pressure will move to the east allowing warm air to return to the area. A storm system will be organizing over the Plains with showers and thunderstorms.

Summer Warmth Returns

Summer heat has returned to the local area today as a large upper level high pressure located over the Central USA has expanded east. The cool temperatures from the middle of the week moved out beginning Thursday and by Friday temperatures were already above normal. The ridge of high pressure will flatten out as the week progresses and this will allow temperatures to fall closer to seasonal normals.

Today is a hot day across Northeast Ohio. Temperatures have risen into the lower nineties (90's) and humidity has risen but is not at a muggy level. A cool front to the northwest will move through over night and will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms which may be severe.

On Sunday the cool front will have slipped south of the local area and a much cooler air mass will be in place. Overnight showers and thunderstorms will clear out early leaving clear skies and high temperatures in the lower to middle seventies (70's). Dry conditions should be maintained on Monday as high temperatures approach eighty (80). Across the High Plains severe thunderstorms will be possible.

On Tuesday a warm front will approach from the south as a storm system takes shape to our west. Showers and thunderstorms will be scattered during the day as high temperatures remain around eighty (80). Severe thunderstorms will be possible across Kansas and Missouri. On Wednesday and Thursday local conditions will be similar to Tuesday but temperatures may be a few degrees warmer dependent on cloud cover.



On Friday a storm system will continue sinking to our south. By this time its associated moisture should be south of the area and dry conditions will hopefully prevail. High temperatures will remain around eighty (80).

Winter 2015-2016 Recap

June has arrived and with it the start of meteorological summer. With that being said it is time to recap the winter that was. First the current weather is providing much to talk about. The past two weeks have featured local high temperatures in the eighties (80's) and the first ninety (90) degree day of the year last Saturday. Tropical Storm Bonnie formed and moved ashore in South Carolina last Sunday as a tropical depression. Heavy rain affected sections of South Carolina and Georgia. Locally the weather pattern is going to turn cooler and wetter over the weekend and into early next week as a deep low pressure system moves across Southern Canada.

Today the local the area experienced another warm and delightful summer day. High temperatures reached the lower eighties (80's)  and humidity levels remained in the comfortable zone. A storm system is affecting much of Texas with heavy rain. Tropical Depression Bonnie regenerated off the North Carolina coast and was expected to strengthen back to a tropical storm as is moves east. A strengthening low pressure is affecting the Upper Plains with thunderstorms that may reach severe levels at times.

On Saturday the low pressure system will track into the Western Great Lakes. Heavy rain will be drawn north during the day and will arrive to the local area during the afternoon and evening. High temperatures will rise in the seventies (70's) before the rain arrives. Rain and thunderstorms will continue across much of Northern Ohio Saturday night. On Sunday scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon. High temperatures will rise into the middle seventies (70's). A severe weather outbreak is likely from Maryland to South Carolina. All modes of severe weather will be possible including a few tornadoes. A tropical system may form over the weekend in the Southern Gulf of Mexico.

On Monday a deep low pressure will be located to the north of the Great Lakes. This will allow cool below normal temperatures to overspread the area. Scattered showers will be possible, especially in the afternoon. High temperatures will be in the lower seventies(70's) before another surge of cool area arrives. 

Tuesday is expected to be a cool and unsettled day for the local region. High temperatures will approach seventy (70) with scattered showers across the area. A tropical system of some form will affect Northern Florida with heavy rain. Local temperatures will be similar on Wednesday but the sky will be mostly clear. Temperatures on Thursday will warm into the middle seventies (70's) as dry conditions continue.

On Friday high temperatures will continue to warm and should reach the upper seventies (70's) Thunderstorms will be possible as a warm front approaches the area as a storm system forms in the Central Plains. 

The very mild winter of 2015-2016 has come to a close. Temperatures over the entire winter average more than four degrees above normal with December being record warm. Unlike the previous two winters not a single below zero (-0) reading was officially recorded in Cleveland. Cleveland recorded 32.8 inches of snow for the entire season which is the smallest since the 31.1 inches in 1957-58. If not for the above normal snowfall in April, Cleveland would have recorded the smallest snow total ever at Hopkins Airport. Below are the seasons with the five smallest snowfall totals recorded at Hopkins Airport.

year            Snowfall (inches)

1948/49                         30.4

1947/48                         30.9

1957/58                         31.1

2015/16                         32.8

1997/98                         33.7

Wet Saturday and then Much Warmer!

After a cold weekend with lake effect snow the area experienced a much more seasonable work week. Conditions were generally dry with high temperatures in the 60's and 70's.  Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and this weekend yet another cold upper level trough will affect the area. A storm system tracking along the southern tier of the Nation has trended further north than earlier predicted. This will result in an unsettled and cool weekend. Thankfully next week is looking warm and eventually a bit humid. It will begin to finally feel like late spring!

Today was the last of the quiet weather this week. Skies became increasingly cloudy during the day as high temperatures reached the lower seventies (70's) Rain will approach the area late overnight from the south and west.

Saturday will be a wet day area wide especially early and the further south and east one goes. The hope is the rain will become more scatter after noon but high temperatures may only rise into the lower sixties (60's) at best. Rain chances will end Saturday night locally. A storm system will be begin to move into the Plain States and may produce some severe weather.

On Saturday high pressure will control the local weather as a trough moves off the East Coast with a wet storm system. Conditions locally will be generally dry with high temperatures well into the sixties (60's). As the East begins to quiet down, another tough of low pressure will set-up over the Rocky Mountains. This trough will send pieces of energy east leading to periods of several weather beginning Sunday from North Dakota to Texas. Everyday during the workweek there will be a threat for all modes of severe weather, including tornadoes, over the middle section of the Country. High temperatures locally will warm everyday and will near eighty (80) degrees by Wednesday. With the increase in humidity and instability thunderstorms may be possible during the afternoons on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Friday a weakening cool front will be approaching the area. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible as high temperatures will be in the upper seventies (70's) to the lower eighties (80's) The middle section of the country could once again be under the gun for severe weather; details will become clearer as the week progresses.

Winter Relapse?

After a very active weather week across the region, cool and unsettle weather will visit for the weekend. Temperatures steadily warmed through the week and peaked in the lower eighties (80's) on Thursday before a cool front moved through that night. Severe weather during the week spawned numerous tornadoes which claimed two lives in Oklahoma. This weekend will feature quieter weather across the Nation with the exception of the Great Lakes and Northeast Region where an upper level low pressure will become established leading to cool and wet weather conditions. The weather over the weekend will be more typical of Fall as an air mass from the polar regions arrives. The low lifts out during the week and an airflow out of the south and west will moderate temperatures across the East as a trough becomes established over the West by next weekend.

Currently a strong cool front is moving through Great Lakes and Northeast regions. Rain showers will mark the arrival of the cool front and high temperatures will be fifteen to twenty (15-20) degrees below normal today and Sunday. Instability and lake effect showers will be possible as the coldest air arrives. Overnight Saturday snow may mix in across the highest elevations and Sunday night scattered frost will be possible for many areas away from Lake Erie.  On Monday high temperatures will rebound to around sixty(60) degrees as the next storm system approaches the area.

On Tuesday the next cool front will approach the region. High temperatures will once again be around sixty(60) with showers accompanying the frontal passage. High pressure will once again influence the weather on Wednesday with dry conditions and high temperatures in the lower sixties (60's).  Severe weather will possible on Tuesday as a storm system affects the southern Plains. Additional severe weather will be possible with this system as it moves across the Nation.

On Thursday the overall weather pattern will begin to change as high pressure dominates the East and a trough of low pressure moves onshore across the Northwest.  Conditions will remain dry and high temperatures will continue to rise and locally may reach the upper sixties (60's).

Wet Week before a Cool Weekend

After a delightful and dry weekend for the local area an active and wet work week is setting up. A strong but slow moving storm system has generated rounds of severe weather over the weekend and it will affect Northern Ohio for much of the week with rain. Temperatures will rise and become summery by Thursday before a strong cold front and and much cooler air arrive for the weekend. Rounds of severe will affect the Nation until the storm system clears the East Coast.

The local is being influenced by cool high pressure local to the north. It is sending a cool and dry air mass into the area. High temperatures reached the lower sixties (60's) as clouds over spread the area. A strong storm system moving into the Plain States will generate severe weather from Nebraska south to the Red River Valley. All modes of severe weather will be likely with tornadoes possible across Oklahoma.

Tomorrow a warm front will begin approaching the local area. Periods of showers and possible thunderstorms will occur during the day. High temperatures may be suppressed in the upper fifties (50's) if dry periods are sparse later in the day. Severe weather will be possible for the lower Ohio Valley and across sections of Texas. On Wednesday the the warm front will move through during the day with more showers and thunderstorms possible. High temperatures should rise into the lower seventies (70's) if the area experiences enough dry conditions.  Severe weather will again be possible across the Middle Mississippi River Valley.

On Thursday a strong storm system will move into the Western Great Lakes with an active cold front. A warm front will clear the area and high temperatures will rise well into the the seventies (70's). With warm and increasingly humid conditions across the area severe weather will be possible along the entire cold front.

On Friday the first cold front will clear the area and temperatures will cool down into the lower sixties (60's). Showers and thunderstorms will be possible along the cold front as it affects the East Coast. A stronger cold front will arrive late Friday and will usher in much cooler weather for Saturday. High temperatures will hold in the fifties (50's) with cloudy and possible showery conditions across the area.

On Sunday high pressure will begin to assert its influence own the area. Conditions will remain cool with high temperatures remaining in the fifties (50's) but conditions should be dry.