You’ve seen the grey. If you live in Northeast Ohio, you basically live in a world where the sun is a myth for about four months. Honestly, walking outside today in Cleveland feels like opening a freezer door that someone left cracked open just enough to let the frost bite.
We are currently looking at a 5 day forecast for Cleveland Ohio that is going to test your patience with your snow shovel and your car's battery. Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the temperature is sitting at a crisp 19°F. But that number is a liar. With the wind coming out of the southwest at 9 mph, the feels-like temperature is actually closer to 9°F.
It’s cold. Really cold.
The Lake Erie Machine is Waking Up
What most people get wrong about Cleveland weather is thinking the lake keeps us warm. Kinda. In the early winter, Lake Erie acts like a giant heat sink, but as we move into the back half of January, that effect starts to vanish. Right now, the lake ice is sitting at a record low for this time of year—under 3% coverage.
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That is bad news if you hate snow. Open water means moisture. Moisture plus Arctic air equals the "Lake Effect Snow Machine."
Monday, January 19, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, brings a high of 19°F but the wind is going to kick up significantly. We're looking at 23 mph gusts from the southwest. Expect light snow during the day, with a 20% chance of precipitation, but the real story is the overnight drop. We are heading down to a low of 4°F.
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If you have plans to be out for the holiday, dress like you're going on an expedition.
The Mid-Week "Warm-Up" (If You Can Call It That)
By Tuesday, January 20, the sky might actually tease us with some sun. It’ll be mostly sunny with a high of 19°F, but don't let the light fool you. The low is going to bottom out at 3°F. This is the coldest point of the week.
Wednesday is where things get weird. Cleveland weather loves a dramatic plot twist. We jump from a high of 19°F on Tuesday to a high of 34°F on Wednesday, January 21.
- Precipitation: 25% chance of snow during the day.
- Nighttime: Chance jumps to 35%.
- Wind: Steady at 17 mph.
That 34-degree mark is the "slush zone." It’s that lovely temperature where the snow on the ground turns into a grey, salty soup that ruins your shoes and makes the Shoreway a nightmare.
Looking Toward the Weekend
By Thursday, January 22, the temperature starts to dip again to a high of 26°F. We’re back to snow showers with a 20% chance throughout the day. The wind shifts slightly, coming more from the west at 20 mph, which usually means the snowbelts—think Chardon, Mentor, and the East Side—will see more action than the West Side.
Honestly, this 5 day forecast for Cleveland Ohio is pretty standard for late January, but the lack of lake ice makes the snow potential much more unpredictable. According to data from the National Weather Service and recent Great Lakes ice reports, we are in a period of "weather whiplash." One day you're at 19 degrees, the next you're hitting mid-30s, and then you're right back in the freezer.
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Survival Steps for the Next 48 Hours
- Check your tires: Cold air makes tire pressure drop faster than a Cleveland Browns lead in the fourth quarter.
- Drip the faucets: With lows hitting 3°F and 4°F on Monday and Tuesday nights, those exterior wall pipes are at risk.
- Salt early: If you wait until the Wednesday "warm-up" to clear your walk, that slush will flash-freeze into a skating rink by Thursday morning.
Stay warm, keep the scrapers handy, and remember that April is only... well, it’s a long way off. Basically, just keep your coat on.