Honestly, if you've lived in Northeast Ohio for more than five minutes, you know the drill. One day you’re debating if you actually need a heavy coat, and the next, you’re wondering if your car is ever coming out from under that drift.
Right now, Cleveland is sitting at a crisp 17°F, but it feels a whole lot more like 5°F thanks to a biting breeze. It’s cloudy, it’s dark, and frankly, it’s about to get a lot colder.
The lake is wide open.
Earlier this month, Lake Erie was sporting some decent ice—nearly 34% coverage by January 5th. Then, that weird warm-up hit, the wind kicked up, and now we’re looking at less than 3% ice. That is basically an invitation for the lake-effect machine to start cranking out snow.
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What’s happening with the Cleveland weather forecast right now?
Tonight, Sunday, January 18, we’re looking at a low around 13°F. There’s about a 27% chance of snow, which isn't much, but it’s just the appetizer. Tomorrow is where things get interesting.
The National Weather Service has already slapped a Wind Advisory on the region starting at 10:00 AM Monday. Shortly after that, a Cold Weather Advisory kicks in at 7:00 PM and runs through Tuesday noon. This isn't just "put on a hat" cold; it’s "don't leave your pipes exposed" cold.
The high for Monday, January 19, is only hitting 21°F. By Monday night? We are plummeting to a low of 2°F.
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The Snow Situation
Monday is looking at a 60% chance of snow with winds gusting up to 26 mph from the southwest. Because the lake isn't frozen, any cold air crossing that water is going to pick up moisture and dump it right on our heads.
It’s that classic "Clipper" train.
Each one of these systems brings a fresh slap of Arctic air and a few more inches of powder. Tuesday stays brutal with a high of 14°F and a low of 10°F. We might see a brief "warm-up" on Wednesday, January 21, hitting 34°F, but don’t get too excited. That comes with a 70% chance of precipitation, likely a messy mix that’ll turn right back into ice when temperatures dive again on Thursday.
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- Sunday Night: Cloudy, 13°F, 27% snow chance.
- Monday: Snow likely (60%), high of 21°F, low of 2°F. Dangerous wind chills.
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy and frigid, high of 14°F.
- Wednesday: A brief "spike" to 34°F with heavy snow or rain likely.
Dealing with the "Deep Freeze"
PJM has already issued Cold Weather Alerts for the entire region. They’re expecting single-digit lows to stress the grid, so maybe don’t run your dishwasher and dryer at the same time on Tuesday morning.
Cleveland and Akron are also opening warming centers. If you know someone who doesn't have reliable heat, now is the time to check on them. Seriously. When the wind chill hits those sub-zero numbers, frostbite can happen in under 30 minutes on exposed skin.
Also, watch the roads. Between the snow squalls and the rapidly dropping temperatures, we're looking at "flash freeze" conditions where wet roads turn into skating rinks in a matter of minutes.
Actionable Steps for the Week
- Drip those faucets: If your kitchen sink is on an outside wall, let it drip tonight and Monday night. A frozen pipe is a $500 headache you don't need.
- Check your tire pressure: Cold air makes the "low pressure" light come on. Fill 'em up now so you aren't standing at a gas station air pump when it’s 2 degrees out.
- Winterize the trunk: Toss an extra blanket and a bag of kitty litter (for traction) in the back. If you get stuck in a lake-effect squall on I-90, you'll be glad you did.
- Pet safety: If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them. Keep the walks short and wipe the salt off their paws.
Keep an eye on the radar Tuesday night into Wednesday. That transition from 14°F to 34°F and back down to 22°F on Thursday is going to make for some very unpredictable commutes. Welcome to January in Cleveland.