News Summary
Cleveland is experiencing an unexpected pattern of dry weather and cooler-than-normal temperatures as summer ends. With only 0.23 inches of rain recorded, this September marks the driest start since 2013. Residents are surprised by the blocking high-pressure system that’s altered seasonal expectations. Concerns about drought conditions are rising, with a forecast suggesting a possible warm-up in temperatures soon. This rare combination of weather is impacting both local ecosystems and daily lives, and as the summer season concludes, all eyes are on pending changes in precipitation and temperature.
Cleveland, Ohio is currently experiencing an unusual pattern of dry weather and cooler-than-normal temperatures, a combination that has left residents in the area surprised as summer draws to a close. This weather pattern has been attributed to a blocking high-pressure system that has settled over the region, stalling the typical movement of weather systems.
For the month of September, Cleveland has recorded a scant 0.23 inches of rain so far, marking the driest start to the month since 2013. Historical data indicates that September typically sees an average rainfall of 3.93 inches, making it the wettest month of the year due to the influence of tropical storms and hurricane remnants. The wettest September on record occurred in 1996, when the city saw a staggering 11.05 inches of rain, largely driven by remnants of Hurricane Fran.
Currently, low pressure situated over eastern North Carolina is tracking up the East Coast, but it hasn’t delivered any rain to Cleveland. Instead, residents have been experiencing a mix of sunny to partly cloudy conditions, particularly in the Akron-Canton area where cloud cover has been more prevalent. High temperatures today are expected to range from 76 to 84 degrees, cooling off closer to the shores of Lake Erie. Looking ahead, a clear night is predicted, followed by more sunny weather tomorrow and Thursday, with afternoon temperatures expected to hover around 80 degrees.
In addition to the dry weather, the region has fallen victim to drought conditions, with rainfall deficits ranging from over 1 inch to nearly 2.5 inches recorded over the past 30 days. This ongoing trend is concerning, especially considering the driest September on record in Cleveland took place in 1908, when only 0.48 inches of rain was logged by mid-month.
Cleveland has also experienced 22 consecutive days of below-normal overnight temperatures since August 21. This protracted cool spell is among the longest the city has experienced since 1938, with daily highs mostly trailing behind average temperatures. The influx of cool air from Canada has been identified as the primary driver of these cooler conditions, according to experts.
As the summer season officially concludes on September 22, forecasts suggest that the persistent high-pressure system, which has created this Omega Block pattern, is likely to remain entrenched over the eastern Great Lakes and extending into eastern Canada next week. This could allow for a significant warm-up in temperatures, potentially pushing them into the low to mid-80s as Cleveland heads into the fall season.
This unique combination of dryness and cooler temperatures has set a remarkable tone for the end of summer, contrasting sharply with the region’s expectations for typical September weather. Cleveland residents may soon find relief as the likelihood of a warmer late summer emerges, yet the drought conditions remind us that weather patterns can shift unpredictably and significantly, impacting local climates and communities.
In summary, the current weather conditions in Cleveland are a result of a prolonged blocking pattern causing an unusual mix of dry weather and cool temperatures, with significant implications for both local ecosystems and the daily lives of residents. With the potential for a warm late-summer increase, the coming days will be closely watched for changes in both temperature and precipitation.
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Additional Resources
- News 5 Cleveland
- Wikipedia: Cleveland
- Fox 8 News
- Google Search: Cleveland weather
- Cleveland.com
- Google Scholar: Cleveland weather patterns
- Fox 8 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cleveland
- Fox 8 News
- Google News: Cleveland drought conditions
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
