Strong to severe storms possible in NE Ohio Wednesday before big weekend warmup

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Northeast Ohio is in for two days of rain and storm chances as separate weather systems move through the region, and then all attention will turn to a big weekend warmup.

The first system arrives on Tuesday as a warm front lifts northeast over the area. Pop-up showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop in the afternoon and evening, with some storms capable of producing heavy downpours and localized flash flooding. Rain chances will be highest southeast of Cleveland.

The weather pattern becomes more active Wednesday, with a stronger storm system approaching. A line of storms is expected to develop ahead of a cold front that will sweep east across the state.

The highest chance for strong to severe storms will be centered west of the region, but the line could still bring damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall to Northeast Ohio into the evening and overnight hours.

As a result, the Storm Prediction Center has placed the eastern third of Ohio under a Level 1 out of 5 “marginal risk” for severe weather. The middle third of the state, extending into Southwest Ohio, is under a Level 2 “slight risk,” while Northwest Ohio is under a Level 3 “enhanced risk.”

High temperatures on Wednesday will top out in the lower to middle 80s areawide, with very humid conditions.

Once the cold front moves through, Northeast Ohio will enjoy drier, more comfortable air for Juneteenth on Thursday with any leftover clouds giving way to sunshine. Highs will sit comfortably in the upper 70s.

Big warmup coming to NE Ohio

Just in time for the first day of summer, Northeast Ohio is set to experience a big warming trend this weekend as a large dome of heat sets up over the eastern U.S.

While temperatures are expected to be close to normal on Friday, the warmup will be felt by Saturday as highs top out in the mid to upper 80s.

It’s expected to be even warmer on Sunday, with Cleveland on track to experience its first 90-degree day for the year.

High humidity will make the air feel even warmer, with heat indices approaching 100 degrees on Sunday and Monday, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

The warming trend will last into the beginning of the workweek, with high temperatures on Monday again near 90 degrees and in the upper 80s on Tuesday.