Northeast Ohio is in for a mild stretch this week, with only small chances for rain in the days ahead, according to the News 5 Power of 5 Weather Team. Overnight temperatures are expected to settle in the upper 40s to low 50s, and Wednesday is forecast to be even warmer.
Wednesday should start with extra clouds, and a few isolated sprinkles during the morning cannot be ruled out. Forecasters say residents should not change plans because of it, since most areas will stay dry. The afternoon is expected to bring plenty of sunshine, with highs returning to the 70s across much of the region.
The West Region has the best chance of catching a morning shower or sprinkle. That region covers Lorain, Medina, Erie, Huron, Richland and Ashland Counties. Even there, the rain will be spotty and many neighborhoods may stay completely dry. Chances fade farther east. By Wednesday afternoon, skies should brighten and temperatures should climb toward the mid 70s.
The next chance for rain arrives late Thursday into Friday, as a cold front moves through. The rain along and ahead of the front looks light and isolated. Temperatures are expected to fall about ten degrees, from a high near 75 on Thursday to 64 on Friday. The better chance for rain comes on Sunday.
Halloween is getting close attention. For now, trick-or-treating looks dry because the system expected Sunday is slowing down. Rain will remain nearby, though, so there is little room for error if the timing shifts. The forecaster suggests keeping costume and trick-or-treating plans as they are for now, but checking back over the next couple of days for updates.
Residents should also remember the end of daylight saving time this weekend. Clocks go back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday. The sun will rise earlier, at 6:58 a.m., but it will also set earlier, at 5:21 p.m.
The five-day forecast calls for a mostly cloudy, milder Wednesday night with a low of 52. Thursday should be partly sunny with a chance of evening rain and a high of 75. Friday is expected to be partly sunny with isolated showers and a high of 67. Halloween should be partly sunny and mild with showers possible late, and a high of 66. Sunday brings a few possible showers and continued warmth, with a high of 67.
For Akron and the rest of the Akron-Canton Region, which includes Summit, Stark and Portage Counties, the pattern is similar: a mostly dry, warm midweek followed by small rain chances toward the end of the week and the weekend.
