


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Cleveland, OH
Issued by NWS Cleveland, OH
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-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --724 FXUS61 KCLE 151832 AFDCLE Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Cleveland OH 232 PM EDT Tue Jul 15 2025 .SYNOPSIS...-- Changed Discussion --High pressure will depart to the east tonight with a warm front lifting into the region late tonight into early Wednesday. A cold front will slowly approach from the west late Wednesday before crossing the region Thursday. The front will slow over the Ohio Valley Friday, allowing high pressure to build into northern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania.-- End Changed Discussion --&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...-- Changed Discussion --Surface high pressure over the area this afternoon will drift east tonight, allowing a warm front and shortwave trough to lift northeast into the region late tonight into early Wednesday. Scattered showers/thunderstorms may lift northeast into the area as early as 2 AM to 8 AM Wednesday morning with PoPs increasing further near the I-75 corridor from 8 AM onwards. The most widespread showers and thunderstorms will occur during peak diurnal instability Wednesday afternoon/evening; all locations have at least likely PoPs (around 60 to 70 percent) with categorical PoPs (80+ percent) generally inland from Lake Erie. As mentioned in previous discussions, a very moist airmass will be in place across the area with widespread PWAT values of 2-2.1 inches and dew points in the lower 70s anticipated. To provide context, these PWAT values are near to slightly higher than daily maximum values for ILN/PBZ sounding climatology. Storms will likely be progressive, although the high moisture content will likely result in very heavy rainfall rates and localized high QPF values. HREF still highlights an area with about a 10% chance of at least 3 inches of rain in 3 hours across portions of north-central/northeastern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania Wednesday afternoon and this will be the primary area to monitor for flash flooding. Low-lying, poor drainage, and urban areas (such as Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown) will be the most vulnerable areas for flooding. A Slight Risk for excessive rainfall remains in place from roughly Vermilion, OH to Mount Gilead, OH eastward with a Marginal Risk elsewhere. Bulk shear values will be modest at around 15 to 20 knots, however MLCAPE values will most likely reach or exceed 1500 J/kg during peak heating Wednesday. The higher instability in addition to high moisture content could allow a few stronger wind gusts to mix to the surface in any robust storms that manage to develop Wednesday afternoon. A Day 2 Marginal Risk of severe weather is in place for the entire CWA.-- End Changed Discussion --&& .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...-- Changed Discussion --The shortwave will generally exit to the east on Wednesday night, however scattered showers and thunderstorms (and possibly heavy rainfall) may persist across NE OH/NW PA into Wednesday night. An upper trough and surface cold front will likely cross the local area Thursday with additional showers and thunderstorms developing ahead of the cold front during the day. Have largely maintained the previous forecast, but there`s still quite a bit of uncertainty in the placement/coverage and overall chances of showers/storms. Changes to the forecast for Thursday afternoon/evening are possible, especially if guidance continues to trend drier and/or the main precip axis continues to shift southeast of the CWA. Strong thunderstorms and flooding are possible along/ahead of the frontal boundary. The front will slow over the Ohio Valley late Thursday into Friday and high pressure will build into the region Friday morning through Friday night. Most locations should experience dry weather during this time, although a few showers/storms may graze locations south of U.S. Route 30 Friday afternoon. High temps will be in the 80s Thursday with a notable cooldown expected towards the end of the week. Friday`s highs will be in the mid to upper 70s with overnight lows in the cooler upper 50s to lower 60s Friday night.-- End Changed Discussion --&& .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...-- Changed Discussion --Unsettled weather will return over the weekend as a warm front lifts into the region in response to low pressure moving east across the central Plains into the northern Great Lakes. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely in the warm sector Saturday/Sunday with PoPs tapering off as the low`s cold front crosses the local area at some point Sunday or early Monday. A quieter weather pattern may unfold early next week, but uncertainty in the timing and placement of the front warrants continued PoPs through Tuesday. High temperatures will generally be in the lower 80s this weekend into early next week, although temps may begin to trend a bit warmer by Tuesday. Expect lows in the 60s each night with lower 70s possible Saturday night.-- End Changed Discussion --&& .AVIATION /18Z Tuesday THROUGH Sunday/... VFR across the TAF sites early this afternoon with deterioration to non-VFR likely from west to east in showers and thunderstorms Wednesday morning into the afternoon. Coverage will begin as isolated to scattered Wednesday morning, increasing to scattered and perhaps widespread by Wednesday afternoon. Torrential rain will accompany the showers and thunderstorms which will drop vsbys down to IFR and perhaps as low as LIFR at times. Also cant rule out some gusty winds in the strongest storms around 30 to perhaps 40 knots. Apart from a northwest to north lake breeze of 5 to 10 knots T CLE/ERI, winds are generally light and variable early this afternoon, 5 knots or less. Light and variable winds will persist overnight before favoring a south to southwest direction late Wednesday morning and afternoon, 5 to 10 knots. Outlook...Non-VFR likely in scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening. Non-VFR possible in lingering showers and thunderstorms across the south and southeast portion of the area Thursday afternoon and evening. VFR expected Friday before Non-VFR chances return Saturday and Sunday in scattered showers and thunderstorms. && .MARINE... Main concern for the marine period will be on Thursday as a cold front crosses Lake Erie, ushering in west to northwest winds of 15 to 20 knots. Confidence is increasing for waves of 3 to perhaps 4 feet across the central and eastern basins. Just short of Small Craft Advisory at this time, but will continue to monitor trends. Otherwise, flow across Lake Erie is expected to be 10 knots or less. Thunderstorms will impact Lake Erie Wednesday afternoon and evening which could produce gusty winds. Additional chances for thunderstorms impacting Lake Erie will return for the weekend. && .CLE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OH...None. PA...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SYNOPSIS...15 NEAR TERM...15 SHORT TERM...15 LONG TERM...15 AVIATION...Kahn MARINE...Kahn