Ohio’s mild, muggy stretch ends over the next 48 hours, according to the National Weather Service. Showers and thunderstorms are expected statewide tonight, with temperatures holding unusually warm, mostly in the middle 60s to near 70. A strong cold front sweeps through Friday with gusty winds and falling temperatures, and the weekend turns chilly enough for widespread frost Saturday night. Late Thursday, no watches or warnings were in effect in Ohio.
Tonight’s storms ride in ahead of the front, and the change arrives Friday morning. Rain is likely along and ahead of the front in the morning, then winds shift northwest and colder air pours in. Gusts of 30 to 40 mph are expected Friday, strongest near Lake Erie, and afternoon readings drop into the 50s after morning highs in the 60s to near 70. Showers linger longest in the northeast, into early Saturday.
Toledo expects showers and thunderstorms tonight with a low near 68, a Friday high near 60 before temperatures fall, gusts to 35 mph, a Friday night low near 42 and a Saturday high near 52. Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown see lows in the middle 60s tonight, likely Friday showers with temperatures sliding into the upper 50s, and Saturday highs only in the upper 40s. Lake Erie boaters should plan for rough water Friday.
Columbus faces likely thunderstorms tonight with a low near 67, Friday showers most likely in the morning, an early high near 69 that falls into the middle 50s by afternoon, and gusts to 30 mph. Cincinnati and Dayton follow the same pattern: upper 60s tonight, Friday showers, then a quick cool-down to Friday night lows near 42 and Saturday highs in the lower to middle 50s.
Athens and the southeast could see patchy fog late tonight with a low near 64, then likely showers Friday with a high near 68 and locally heavy rain possible, before a Friday night low near 40. Saturday is the payoff statewide: partly sunny, dry for most areas and noticeably crisp, with highs from the upper 40s along the lakeshore to the middle 50s in the south.
Saturday night is the one to prepare for. Under clear skies and light winds, temperatures fall into the upper 20s in sheltered southeastern valleys and the low to middle 30s across most of Ohio, with upper 30s along Lake Erie. Widespread frost is expected Sunday morning, with a freeze possible in the coldest spots, so tender plants should be covered or brought inside Saturday evening. Sunday turns sunny, with highs in the lower 60s after the frosty start.
Monday through Wednesday look sunny and dry statewide, with highs in the upper 60s Monday and near 70 by Tuesday and Wednesday, and no rain in the forecast. Friday drivers should allow extra time for a wet, windy commute, secure loose items before the gusts arrive, and dress for the 40s and 50s at Friday night football games. Drivers who meet high water should turn around, not drive through it — and gardeners should protect tender plants before Saturday night.