Honestly, if you've lived in Northeast Ohio for more than a week, you know the drill. You check the forecast at 8:00 AM, see "cloudy," and by noon you’re digging your car out of a snowbank. It’s basically the Cleveland tax.
Right now, as of Thursday night, January 15, 2026, the city is sitting at a crisp 16°F. But that’s the "official" number. The feels like temperature is actually 2°F. That’s the kind of cold that bites right through a wool coat and makes you question every life decision that led you to a Great Lakes shoreline in January.
The Lake Erie Snow Machine
Most people think "weather Cleveland OH hourly" is just about tracking rain or shine. It’s not. In the winter, it’s about the "fetch." That’s a fancy meteorology term for how far cold air travels over the relatively warm, unfrozen water of Lake Erie.
Today was a prime example. We had a heavy snow storm during the daylight hours with a high of 21°F. The northwest winds were whipping at 23 mph, which is exactly the recipe for those narrow, intense lake effect bands that can dump three inches of snow on Lakewood while Shaker Heights just gets a light dusting.
If you were looking at the hourly breakdown earlier, you saw an 85% chance of snow during the day. Tonight, things are tapering off. The precipitation chance has dropped to 10% for the immediate hour, though the daily forecast still holds a 20% chance of snow showers for the remainder of the night.
Current Conditions at a Glance
- Temperature: 16°F
- Humidity: 75%
- Wind: 14 mph from the northwest
- Condition: Cloudy
It’s easy to get complacent when the radar looks clear. But look at the humidity—it's at 75% right now. In Cleveland, that moisture doesn't just hang out; it turns into that "greasy" road ice that sends SUVs sliding into ditches on I-90.
Why the Hourly Forecast Matters for Your Commute
Earlier today, many local counties were under Level 2 or even Level 3 snow emergencies. While places like Erie County have started downgrading their emergency levels, the roads remain "dangerous" according to the latest National Weather Service bulletins.
The wind is the real player tonight. Even though the speed has dropped from the daytime peak of 23 mph to a current 14 mph, it’s still coming from the northwest. That means blowing and drifting snow. You might have a clear driveway at 9:00 PM, but by 11:00 PM, the wind could have deposited a fresh six-inch drift right behind your tires.
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Meteorologists like Jennifer Stenonis have frequently pointed out that lake effect events are "localized." You can't just trust a general "Ohio" forecast. You have to look at the specific hourly shifts in wind direction. A shift of just 10 degrees can move a snow band from the West Side to the East Side in less than an hour.
Surviving the 2°F Wind Chill
The UV index is 0. Not that you expected a tan, but the lack of sun combined with the 2°F wind chill makes frostbite a legitimate concern if you’re out for more than 15 or 20 minutes.
If you're heading out, the move is layers—obviously. But specifically, you need a wind-blocking outer shell. That 14 mph northwest wind is carrying the cold straight off the lake.
Honestly, the best thing to do is stay put. The current cloudy conditions and 16°F low aren't going anywhere until morning.
Actionable Winter Weather Steps
- Check the "Feels Like": Never dress for the 16°F air temp. Always dress for the 2°F wind chill.
- Monitor Wind Direction: If the wind is from the NW or WNW, the lake effect machine is on. Expect sudden visibility drops even if the "hourly" says 10% precipitation.
- Clear the Exhaust: If you're warming up your car after this morning's heavy snow, make sure your tailpipe isn't buried in a snowdrift. Carbon monoxide doesn't care about your morning commute.
- Watch the Parking Bans: Cleveland often implements emergency parking bans during these storms (usually 7 AM to 7 PM). Check the red and white signs before you leave your car on a main thoroughfare.
The snow showers should stay light for the rest of the night, but with the ground this cold and the humidity this high, any moisture is going to stick. Drive like there's an open bowl of soup in your passenger seat.