November in Cleveland is a mood. It’s that weird, transitional month where you can start the week washing your car in a t-shirt and end it digging your boots out of a three-foot snowdrift. If you're looking for predictable, sunny autumn days, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you want to understand what Cleveland Ohio weather in November actually feels like on the ground, you have to talk about the lake.
Lake Erie is the boss here. Honestly, the water dictates everything from the gray skies to the sudden "whiteouts" that shut down I-90.
The Temperature Rollercoaster
Early November is often surprisingly decent. You’ve got daily highs hanging around 57°F. It’s crisp. It’s that "perfect hoodie weather" everyone talks about on Instagram. But don't get comfortable. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, those highs have usually plummeted to about 46°F.
Nighttime is a different story. The lows drop from 44°F at the start of the month down to 35°F by the end. Basically, it freezes. You’ll be scraping frost off your windshield more often than not.
The range is wild, though. It’s not rare to hit a random 70°F day if a warm front pushes up from the south. Conversely, it can drop into the 20s without warning. You’ve just gotta be ready for anything.
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That "Cleveland Gray" Sky
If you’re moving here or visiting, prepare for the clouds. Cleveland Ohio weather in November is notoriously overcast. We’re talking about a 60% chance of heavy cloud cover on any given day.
- Sunlight is a rare commodity. You get maybe three hours of actual "sunny" daylight per day.
- The humidity is weird. It’s not "muggy" like July, but it’s damp. That wet cold gets into your bones.
- Wind matters. Average wind speeds are around 11 to 17 mph, usually coming off the lake. A 40-degree day feels like 28 when that west wind is whipping across Public Square.
The Lake Effect Snow Factor
You can't talk about November without mentioning the Snowbelt. This is where the factual "experts" and the locals usually have a laugh. While the "average" snowfall for the month is only about 1 to 3 inches, that number is a total lie for anyone living east of the city.
In 2024, a massive lake effect event started right on Thanksgiving. While downtown might have seen a few flurries, places like Saybrook and parts of Ashtabula County got hammered with nearly five feet of snow in a few days.
What is Lake Effect? Basically, cold arctic air blows over the relatively warm waters of Lake Erie. The air picks up moisture, turns it into heavy, wet snow, and dumps it the second it hits the shoreline. If you’re in the "Secondary Snowbelt" (the southern suburbs), you might just get a dusting. If you’re in the "Primary Snowbelt" (Chardon, Mentor, Erie), you better have a heavy-duty shovel.
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What You’ll Actually Need to Wear
Forget fashion. In Cleveland, we dress in "levels."
You need a base layer. A t-shirt is fine, but a thermal long-sleeve is better. Then, add a hoodie or a heavy wool sweater. Finally, the "big coat."
Don't buy a waist-length jacket. You want a parka that covers your butt. Wind chill is real, and the lake wind doesn't care about your style. Waterproof boots are mandatory. Not "water-resistant"—waterproof. The slush on the street corners in November is a salty, gray soup that will ruin suede in seconds.
Also, get a good ice scraper. A cheap one will snap the first time you try to clear a November ice glaze.
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Why November Still Matters (The Fun Stuff)
Despite the gloom, November is a vibe. The city leans into it.
The day after Thanksgiving, the toboggan chutes at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation open up. These are refrigerated ice chutes, so even if the Cleveland Ohio weather in November stays too warm for natural snow, you can still go 50 mph down a hill.
There's also WinterLand in Public Square. They light the big tree, the ice rink at Wade Oval opens up, and everyone drinks Great Lakes Brewing Co. Christmas Ale. That ale is basically the official fuel of Northeast Ohio once the sun disappears. It’s heavy on the honey and ginger, and it makes the 35-degree rain feel a lot more festive.
Actionable Tips for Surviving November
- Check the Radar, Not the App: General weather apps struggle with lake effect. Look at the actual radar to see where the bands are setting up before you drive east.
- Top off your fluids: Make sure your windshield washer fluid is the "de-icer" kind. The regular blue stuff will freeze on your glass at highway speeds.
- Moisturize: The combination of biting wind and indoor heating will turn your skin into parchment paper. Get some heavy-duty lotion and don't forget the Chapstick.
- Plan indoor backups: If you're visiting, have a list of "inside" spots like the Cleveland Museum of Art (which is free!) or the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When the wind hits 30 mph off the water, you won't want to be walking the North Coast Harbor.
Cleveland in November isn't for everyone. It's gritty, gray, and unpredictable. But there's a certain coziness to it once you stop fighting the weather and just put on a hat.