Frosty First of March: Sunshine Battles Lingering Flurries in Cleveland

Winter’s Lingering Grip on the North Coast

Cleveland residents waking up this Sunday morning, March 1, 2026, are receiving a chilly reminder that while the calendar has turned to March, winter is not quite ready to relinquish its hold on Northeast Ohio. The first day of the month is starting on a significantly colder note than the seasonal average, with temperatures struggling to climb out of the mid-20s. For those heading out to early morning services or local brunch spots, heavy coats and gloves remain the essential uniform for the day.

Morning Forecast: A Dusting of White

The early morning hours are characterized by heavy cloud cover and the potential for light, scattered snow showers. While no major accumulation is expected, a dusting of approximately 0.04 inches of snow is possible across the Cleveland metro area. Early morning temperatures are hovering near 20°F to 25°F, but the real story is the wind. With a steady breeze blowing from the North-Northeast at 10 to 20 mph, the wind chill factor is making it feel closer to 12°F. Drivers should be cautious of a few slick spots on side streets, though main thoroughfares remain largely clear.

Afternoon Outlook: Brightening Skies

As we move into the afternoon, the weather pattern offers a bit of optimism. The thick morning clouds are expected to give way to partly sunny skies by midday. Despite the appearance of the sun, the mercury will peak at a modest high of only 27°F. This is nearly 15 degrees below the historical March 1 average high of 42°F. The North-Northeast wind will continue to persist through the afternoon, maintaining a brisk edge to the air even during the brightest hours of the day. It is an ideal afternoon for indoor activities or a brisk, well-layered walk through one of the Metroparks.

Evening and Overnight: The Chill Continues

As the sun sets at 6:18 PM, the clouds will begin to thin further, leading to a partly cloudy and very cold night. Temperatures are forecasted to drop to an overnight low of 19°F. While the chance of precipitation falls to just 10% after dark, the freezing temperatures will ensure that any moisture from earlier flurries remains frozen. Looking ahead to Monday, the sunshine is expected to return more fully, bringing a slight warming trend as we continue through the first week of March.

Today’s Weather At-A-Glance

• High Temperature: 27°F
• Low Temperature: 19°F
• Wind: NNE at 10-20 mph
• Precipitation: 20% chance of morning snow showers; 0.04 in. total accumulation possible.
• Sunrise/Sunset: 7:02 AM / 6:18 PM