Ohio gets a sharp change of seasons on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. A strong cold front crosses the state with rain showers statewide, thunderstorms in the northeast and southeast, and temperatures that start mild in the morning and then fall through the afternoon. Gusty west winds follow the front, and the weekend turns sunny but cold, with frost expected statewide by Sunday morning. Early Friday, no watches, warnings or advisories were in effect in Ohio.
In the northwest, Toledo expects rain showers on Friday with a high near 60, west winds gusting to 37 mph, and an 80 percent chance of rain. Cleveland, Akron and the northeast see the wettest weather: showers and thunderstorms are likely, with a high near 66 in Cleveland that falls to around 57 by afternoon, gusts to 35 mph, and a quarter to a half inch of rain possible.
Columbus and central Ohio expect rain showers mainly before mid-afternoon, with a high near 69 that falls to around 57 later in the day, west winds gusting to 28 mph, and an 80 percent chance of rain. Showers linger into the evening in central Ohio before skies turn mostly cloudy overnight, with a low around 43.
Cincinnati expects rain showers likely before early afternoon, a high near 66 that falls to around 57, and gusts to 23 mph, while Dayton reaches near 64 before falling to around 56, with gusts to 28 mph. In the southeast, Athens reaches near 70 before falling to around 59, with showers and thunderstorms expected, gusts to 24 mph, and a Friday night low near 43.
Friday night stays cold and blustery, with lows from around 38 in Toledo to the low 40s across most of Ohio. Rain lingers longest in the northeast, where showers remain likely Friday night in the Cleveland area, while other regions see only a chance of showers early before clearing begins. North and northwest winds continue to gust overnight, especially near Lake Erie.
Saturday is sunny or mostly sunny statewide but chilly, with highs only near 51 in the northeast, 53 in Toledo, 54 in Columbus and 55 to 56 in the southwest and southeast. Saturday night turns clear and cold, with lows near 32 in sheltered southeastern valleys and in the low to middle 30s elsewhere. Areas of frost are expected overnight, and widespread frost is in the forecast before 9 a.m. Sunday, which itself turns sunny with highs from 60 to 63.
The week ahead looks quiet and dry. Monday through Thursday are forecast sunny statewide, with highs in the upper 60s on Monday and near 68 to 71 Tuesday through Thursday, and no rain in the forecast. Friday drivers should allow extra time for a wet, windy commute and secure loose outdoor items before the gusts arrive. Dress warmly for Friday night football, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s by game time, never drive through high water, and cover or bring in tender plants Saturday evening before the frost.