Forecast: Colder air moves in for the weekend, with snow showers likely east of Cleveland

CLEVELAND - UPDATE: Cold front will move thru quickly tonight. A sharp drop in temperatures will follow the front. The rain will also transition to a brief snow shower or two before ending by 5 a.m. Lows tonight will drop into the 25 to 30 degree range.

Highs Friday will be a full 20 degrees colder than Thursday. 30s area-wide. Mainly sunny skies on the way until a weak trough swings by Friday night.

UPDATE: Impressive rainfall totals coming in now: Uhrichsville (Tuscarawas County) = 2.2" of rain; New Philadelphia (Tuscarawas County) = 2.17"; Coshocton (Coshocton County) = 1.73"; Mansfield (Richland County) = 2.23"; Canton (Stark County) = 1.52";  Cleveland (Hopkins Airport) = 1.3"; Elyria (Lorain County) = 1.22"; Jefferson (Ashtabula County) = .72"; Youngstown (Mahoning County) = 1.19".

UPDATE: Rain showers have scattered out temporarily, but more is on the way! The next wave will arrive by evening with heavy rain and gusty winds again in the forecast. The cold front should move by after midnight. As colder air filters in behind the front, the back edge of the rain will likely change over to some light snow activity. Lows tonight will drop into the upper 20s. Bundle up if you are shopping tonight or early Friday morning!

Cold air will arrive by early morning and linger through the weekend. Friday should be dry with mainly sunny skies. Highs will only climb into the middle 30s.

A weak trough of low pressure will approach the region from the northwest Friday night. A few snow flakes are possible with the trough. lows Friday night will drop into the lower 20s.

Saturday, behind the trough, some Lake Effect snow is likely in Lake and Ashtabula Counties. Accumulations of an inch or two are possible in spots. high Saturday will rise back into the 30s area-wide.

Sunday looks dry, sunny and cold. A high near 40 degrees.

10:00 a.m. Update: A strong cold front will approach the area this evening, with more heavy rain expected after 7 p.m.  Windy conditions will follow, dropping temperatures to the 30s tomorrow!  Happy Thanksgiving!  -- Christine

9:00 a.m. Update: Rain is finally letting up in northeast Ohio.  Temperatures will warm to the 50s over the next several hours, as a warm front lifts north.  Breezy conditions are likely for the rest of the day. 

8:00 a.m. Update:  Rain is beginning to let up in Erie, Ashland, Richland, and Wayne County.  Everyone else is under moderate to heavy rain.  Breaks are likely area-wide by 9:00 a.m.  Please drive carefully - Nearly an inch of rain has been recorded in the past 10 hours!

__________

A Flood Watch is in effect for Portage, Summit, Medina, Ashland, Richland, Wayne, Holmes, Stark, and Tuscarawas County until Friday morning.  2 to 3 inches of rain is likely in these areas, causing minor streams and creeks to overflow their banks.  Also, please be very careful on the roads today - Lots of standing water will make for a tricky drive.

A warm front will move through the area this morning, bumping temperatures into the low 50s.  Heavy morning rain will taper to scattered periods of rain this afternoon.  As a cold front approaches, heavy rain will increase again this evening. 

The cold front quickly sweeps through overnight, turning the last few rain showers to snow showers.  Use caution on your driveway and sidewalks early Friday morning, as temperatures will dip slightly below freezing. 

 Lake effect snow showers kick in late Friday through Saturday east of Cleveland.  Accumulating snow is likely in the snow belt, with temperatures in the upper 30s.  Sunshine returns Sunday.