CLEVELAND — We are several days into fall, but it hasn't felt like it over the last few days... until now. It will be much cooler for the rest of the week, with temperatures more typical for early October. For perspective, the average high temperature for this time of year is 67 degrees, with lows of 50 degrees.
Over the next few days, it will actually be BELOW average. Temperatures will drop from the mid-80s on Monday afternoon to the 40s and 30s for lows on Wednesday night and Thursday night.
It will be warmer along the lakeshore, but temperatures could drop as low as the mid-30s inland for both Thursday and Friday mornings. This means frost will be possible!
A Frost Advisory has been issued for inland Ashtabula County from 2 to 9 a.m. on Thursday. Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.
Another frost advisory or even a freeze warning may be issued Thursday night/Friday morning across more communities in NEO. With calmer winds and even colder temperatures, the frost/freeze potential looks greater Thursday night and Friday morning. Compare the low temperature map for tonight vs tomorrow night and note how everyone drops a couple of degrees over the 24-hour period.
With the return of cooler temperatures and frost potential, you may wonder if this is normal for this time of year. The short answer is yes, this is basically right on time. The typical first frost happens across Northeast Ohio during October. The exact date depends on where you live.
For example, the lakeshore typically stays warmer overnight during the fall due to the influence of the mild water temperatures in Lake Erie, while it is cooler inland. This means the first frost happens later in Cleveland, usually around mid-October. Meanwhile, the first frost typically happens in early October for communities away from the lakeshore.
Average First Frost (36F)
- Akron-Canton, Oct. 8
- Cleveland, Oct. 14
- Erie, Oct. 19
- Mansfield, Oct. 2
- Toledo, Oct. 6
- Youngstown, Oct. 1
If you are interested, there is additional data below regarding the average first freeze, the earliest frost ever and the earliest freeze ever.
Average First Freeze (32°F)
- Akron-Canton, Oct. 19
- Cleveland, Oct. 28
- Erie, Nov. 1
- Mansfield, Oct. 14
- Toledo, Oct. 17
- Youngstown, Oct. 14
Earliest Frost
- Akron-Canton, Sept. 14 (1902)
- Cleveland, Sept. 21 (1973)
- Erie, Sept. 17 (1959)
- Mansfield, Aug. 27 (1946)
- Toledo, Aug. 29 (1982)
- Youngstown, Aug. 29 (1982)
Earliest Freeze
- Akron-Canton, Sept. 21 (1956)
- Cleveland, Sept. 29 (1942)
- Erie, Oct. 3 (1974)
- Mansfield, Aug. 30 (1946)
- Toledo, Sept. 14 (1975)
- Youngstown, Aug. 29 (1982)
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