Cleveland weather forecast: Major winter storm on the way

Here's our Cleveland weather forecast from 3News Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling:

Quiet weather is expected the next two days before our well-advertised major winter storm develops and brings highly impactful winter weather to a good portion of the eastern US and the Great Lakes.

First the easy stuff:

Expect clouds to linger tonight with lows in the low 20s. Tuesday and Wednesday will feature similar weather with a mix of sun and clouds (more clouds late Wednesday) with highs in the mid to upper 30s.

Last minute shopping to do? Trip to the grocery store needed? The next two days are your days to take care of that.

Now the not-so-easy stuff:

A strong arctic front combined with a powerful jetstream will help to spin up a large storm system Thursday. We'll be on the warm side of things initially with rain developing during the day Thursday. Temps will reach into the 40s with on and off rain expected throughout the day.

Conditions really go downhill Friday. We'll start the early morning with temps in the 40s before the arctic front hits--this will deliver a smack of very cold air in a hurry. We'll likely drop from the 40s into the 10s in a matter of hours. Rain will changeover to snow that could be heavy at times. Winds will become strong in a hurry as well with gusts in the 40-50 mph range.

Strong wind and periods of snow will continue through Saturday with gusts over 60 mph possible Friday night and Saturday. Blizzard conditions are possible at times Friday and Saturday with the wind and lighter weight of the snow.

In terms of snow, it's too early to put any totals on this--but the snow doesn't look to be anything we can't handle. Most model guidance is hinting at anywhere from 5-10 inches falling with higher amounts in and around the lakeshore due to lake effect.

[Maxaldojo]

Hella yes! Thanks, Betsy. Lots of stuff to do outside, tomorrow. I knew I spent my last good weather credits of the year wisely.

[Onix.]

You know you live somewhere cold when the weather woman is excited about the “good news is …back to mid 20s with a nice rebound by Monday”

[andrewboskilini]

I don't get it. Major winter storm? This happens to often. 3 4 5 6 inches of snow isn't a storm. Over exaggerated. 10 ➕️ is a storm. Even that is weak.

[scottdivers]

Thanks for the good news. It means death for the unprepared . The power grid is not in good shape . Get prepared !

[captainyoni]

Very irresponsible for Kling to dismiss the snow. There are plenty of models calling for 10 to 20 inches for our area.