CLEVELAND, Ohio — Snow, dangerous cold and a potentially impactful winter storm are all in play for Northeast Ohio over the next several days as winter flexes its full range with multiple weather threats.
The first of those events arrives Wednesday, when a fast-moving clipper system brings periods of snow to the region. The snow will be most persistent from the morning through early afternoon, with another round possible into the evening as a cold front sweeps through.
Most locations are expected to see light accumulations of an inch or less, though brief bursts of heavier snow are possible and could lead to slick spots on untreated roads.
Wednesday will be milder than previous days, with temperatures expected to climb into the lower to middle 30s by afternoon.
Winds will increase later Wednesday night behind the cold front, which could briefly reduce visibility during any lingering snow showers.
Brief break Thursday
Snow showers taper off late Wednesday night, leading to a quieter day Thursday with only a few leftover snow showers early in the morning.
Otherwise, some peeks of sunshine are possible later in the day, with high temperatures expected to reach the upper 20s to near 30 degrees.
Bitter Arctic cold returns Friday and Saturday
Temperatures will fall throughout the day Friday, with lows bottoming out near 0 degrees in Northeast Ohio. Wind chills values will make it feel like between minus 10 and minus 20 degrees.Courtesy National Weather Service
The quiet stretch will be short-lived as a strong Arctic front moves through the region on Friday.
Temperatures are forecast to fall through the day Friday, dropping into the single digits by Friday night. Gusty winds will combine with the cold air to produce wind chill values between minus 10 and minus 20 degrees, with the coldest conditions expected Friday night into early Saturday.
High temperatures Saturday are expected to struggle into the teens, with dangerously cold wind chills persisting despite quieter weather conditions.
Watching a large weekend storm to the south
This map from cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer partner WKYC Channel 3 shows the location of a large storm Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, that’s expected to impact much of the eastern United States. While Northeast Ohio will only be grazed by the northern edge of the storm, recent model guidance suggests widespread snow accumulation is likely for the region.Courtesy WKYC Channel 3
Forecasters also are monitoring a large storm system expected to develop across the southern United States this weekend.
The storm is forecast to bring major impacts — including heavy snow, ice and rain — from Texas through the Tennessee Valley and into parts of the Southeast.
While the core of the storm is expected to remain south of Ohio, confidence is increasing that Northeast Ohio could be grazed by accumulating snow late Saturday night into Sunday.
Winter will flex its full range across Northeast Ohio over the next several days, starting with snow Wednesday, followed by a surge of Arctic air and a developing storm system that could bring accumulating snow late in the weekend.cleveland.com
Recent forecast guidance suggests the system may push farther north than earlier projections, increasing the chance for measurable snowfall in parts of the region, particularly east of Interstate 71, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.
Accumulation amounts remain uncertain and will depend on the storm’s final track, which will become clearer in the coming days.
Regardless of how the storm ultimately tracks, well-below-average temperatures are expected to persist into early next week.
