Cleveland, OH – A sharp overnight temperature drop will push much of Ohio below freezing by late evening, creating hazardous early Tuesday travel and widespread risks to crops and outdoor infrastructure.
According to the National Weather Service, a Freeze Warning is in effect from 8 p.m. Monday until 10 a.m. Tuesday across northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania, while central Ohio counties including Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, and Hocking fall under a warning from 11 p.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to drop as low as 21 degrees in northern areas, with central regions near 30 degrees.
Major cities including Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and Newark will see prolonged sub-freezing conditions. Roads such as I-90, I-71, I-77, and I-70 could develop patchy frost on bridges and overpasses, especially between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., impacting the morning commute.
Agricultural damage is likely across the state. Early planting, orchards, and gardens face a high risk of freeze loss, particularly in rural counties where temperatures will be coldest. Unprotected outdoor plumbing may also be vulnerable to freezing.
Residents should cover plants, bring sensitive vegetation indoors, and protect pipes by draining hoses or allowing faucets to drip overnight. Drivers should use caution during early morning hours when frost is most widespread.
Temperatures will climb above freezing by late morning Tuesday, but additional cold nights may prolong the threat of frost damage across Ohio into midweek.
