On Sunday, November 15th, a very potent surface low moved northeast across the Great Lakes region. A cold front initially over Indiana produced a line of isolated to scattered showers, which quickly congealed into a fully developed line of thunderstorms as it progressed eastward toward and then through northern Ohio.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS CLE wrote it up.
On Sunday, November 15th, a very potent surface low moved northeast across the Great Lakes region. A cold front initially over Indiana produced a line of isolated to scattered showers, which quickly congealed into a fully developed line of thunderstorms as it progressed eastward toward and then through northern Ohio. The result was widespread, damaging wind gusts with the line of thunderstorms, and for several hours after the thunderstorms' passage. The strong surface wind gusts in the wake of the thunderstorms were the result of a tight surface pressure gradient and rapid surface pressure rises behind the cold front. Observed gusts of 60 mph+ were common. Damage was widespread to trees, power poles, roofs, and other miscellaneous items. There were also widespread power outages, with over 150k people losing power for a time.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Cleveland, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 15, 10:09 AM EST, 53 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
1009 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020
.SYNOPSIS...
A strong cold front will move across the region today as
deepening low pressure moves from the upper Great Lakes to
western Quebec tonight. High pressure will briefly build across
the area from the south Monday before a trough moves across the
Great Lakes Monday night through Tuesday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
Deepening low pressure over Lake Superior will drift northeastward
through the day. A strong cold front, as of 15Z located along
the I-69 corridor in eastern Indiana, will race across the
region through the day.
Focus on the next few hours is a line of convection that is
strengthening ahead of the cold front, moving into northwest OH
as of now. Could see some stronger gusts with the convection, as
highlighted by the recent SPC mesoscale discussion and Day 1
severe weather outlook upgrade to a marginal risk. The
significant gradient and the pressure rises in the wake of the
front should allow for some very strong winds to move across the
region. Believe the corridor of strongest winds will be across
the western CWA, mainly near and west of a line from Sandusky to
Mansfield to Mount Gilead and then along the immediate
lakeshore. This region has been upgraded to a high wind warning
with gusts approaching 60 mph. Elsewhere the wind advisory
continues with gusts of 50 to 55 mph possible. Temperatures have
surged a bit more than anticipated ahead of the front so we
have nudged highs up. Highs should be in the mid to upper 50's.
However a few locations across the south and in the better
downsloping areas may see 60 degrees. After late morning highs
temperatures should begin to fall.
Any remaining showers should dissipate with the setting sun
across much of the region. Winds will remain breezy to windy
through the night but the large gusts should end by late
evening. Attention then shifts to some lake effect showers.
Fortunately most of this activity will be over the lake into
western NY. However we will need to monitor closely from Lake
County to Erie County, PA. As temperatures cool overnight we
could see some of the showers mix with or change over to snow.
Any accumulations would likely be along the ridge over NW PA
from near Edinboro to Findley lake, NY. Amounts of a dusting to
maybe an inch will be possible. Lows tonight in the 30's.
High pressure will attempt to ridge northward across Ohio from
the south on Monday. Expect there will be some lake effect
showers over NW PA that could wobble back into NE OH as winds
veer slightly. This activity is expected to dissipate ahead of
the next trough that may impact the region before sunset on
Monday. So expect all locations away from the lake influence to
be dry with sunshine on Monday. Highs will range from the upper
30s across inland NW PA to the upper 40's across NW OH.
&&
.SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Broad upper level trough will persist across the eastern portions of
the United States as upper level ridge builds over the central
Plains states through Wednesday. The amplification of the ridge will
cause deepening of the trough as it reaches the eastern seaboard
Tuesday night into Wednesday. Eventually by Wednesday night the
upper level ridge pushes east forcing the trough off the coast
resulting in nearly zonal flow across the country by Thursday
morning.
The upper level trough will result in a post-frontal surface trough
that will move southeast across the area Monday night. A swath of
moisture associated with the surface trough will move southeast
along the trough axis and extend mostly across northeast Ohio and
northwest Pennsylvania. This will help to enhance any lake effect
precipitation expected. Fairly strong cold air advection will take
place through Tuesday night resulting in widespread surface
temperatures dropping into the middle and upper 20s. Warmest
temperatures will obviously be along the lakeshore due to the
onshore flow off the lake. Warm influence of the lake should cause
a mix of rain/snow along the lakeshore and mainly snow inland
Tuesday night. There is the possibility for some accumulating snow
with an inch or two most areas in the northeast and locally higher
amounts in the higher elevations Tuesday night. Lake effect will
begin to wane slowly Wednesday through Wednesday night as high
pressure ridge begins to build east into the region.
The advancing high pressure ridge after the passage of the cold
front and surface trough will bring a return back to fair weather
across much of the of the forecast area. Depending on exact
trajectory of the winds, there could be a few brief sprinkles or
snow flurries (graupel) that could develop over Toledo and Findlay
as lake effect develops off Lake Michigan in northwest flow.
Otherwise, cold air advection will drop temperatures into the lower
to middle 30s Monday night, upper 30s to lower 40s Tuesday, and
middle 30s to lower and middle 40s Wednesday. Some warming will take
place as the high shifts slightly east Wednesday night with lows in
the middle 30s west to lower and middle 20s east.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Overall upper level pattern is beginning to shift to a more zonal
flow pattern across the lower 48 states. Fast moving shortwave
troughs will move through the mean flow during this forecast period.
Surface high is progged to shift off the East Coast and continue to
produce some warm air advection into the local area. This will
result in a fairly dry pattern as much of the moisture associated
with the shortwaves remain north of the forecast area. Exception is
Thursday night where the trailing end of the moisture field may
slide east into the region and bring a bit of precipitation. A weak
cold front will also approach the area as well during the latter
periods but is expected to be mostly dry. Since moisture is limited,
will keep forecast dry for now. A warming trend is expected to
develop through this period on the west side of the high pressure
center.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z Sunday THROUGH Thursday/...
VFR conditions will continue until the cold front gets closer
to the region. A line of convection will move across the region
from west to east early this morning along a pre frontal trough
and could develop along the cold front that will race eastward
across the region from mid morning through mid afternoon. MVFR/IFR
conditions will be possible with each line of convective showers.
Otherwise believe there will only be patchy MVFR across the
region. In the wake of the cold front the MVFR ceilings will be
with the lake effect cloud cover that will mainly impact extreme
NE OH into NW PA, likely closer to the lake.
Winds will be the main story of the day. Expect a southerly
direction this morning becoming southwest to west with the cold
front passage. Low level jet moves into the region this morning
with LLWS likely across the eastern TAF sites where surface wind
speeds are a little slower increasing. Stronger winds will mix
to the surface near and in the wake of the cold front. Gusts to
50 knots will be possible across NW OH and along the lakeshore.
Elsewhere 40 to 45 knot gusts will be common.
Outlook...Non-VFR possible from lake-effect showers and clouds
Sunday night through Tuesday.
&&
.MARINE...
Winds will be increasing dramatically through the day today as a
strong cold front moves east across the lake this morning into this
afternoon. Upper level winds are expected to mix down to the surface
and produce some strong gusty winds on the lake. Strong enough to
support a minimal storm warning criteria event for later this
afternoon into the evening hours over the eastern half of the lake.
The rest of the lake will see gale force winds today into tonight.
Winds will diminish late tonight into Monday. A gradual decline in
the winds and subsiding waves will take place through Thursday as
high pressure builds east across the Ohio Valley extending a ridge
north over the lake.
&&
.CLE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...High Wind Warning until 11 PM EST this evening for OHZ010>014-
089.
Wind Advisory until 1 PM EST this afternoon for OHZ010>014-089.
Wind Advisory until 7 PM EST this evening for OHZ020>023-
030>033-038-047.
High Wind Warning until 7 PM EST this evening for OHZ003-
006>009-017>019-027>029-036-037.
Wind Advisory until 11 AM EST this morning for OHZ003-006>009-
017>019-027>029-036-037.
PA...High Wind Warning until 11 PM EST this evening for PAZ001-002.
Wind Advisory until 1 PM EST this afternoon for PAZ001-002.
Wind Advisory until 7 PM EST this evening for PAZ003.
MARINE...Low Water Advisory until 7 AM EST Monday for LEZ142>144-
162>164.
Gale Warning until 4 AM EST Monday for LEZ142>144-162>164.
Gale Warning until 7 AM EST Monday for LEZ145-146-165-166.
Storm Warning from 2 PM this afternoon to 9 PM EST this
evening for LEZ147>149-167>169.
Gale Warning until 2 PM EST this afternoon for LEZ147>149-
167>169.
&&
SYNOPSIS...MM
NEAR TERM...Greenawalt/MM
SHORT TERM...Lombardy
LONG TERM...Lombardy
AVIATION...MM
MARINE...LombardyHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Cleveland OH 431 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020 LEZ142>144-162>164-160945- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Maumee Bay to Reno Beach OH- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Reno Beach to The Islands OH- Lake Erie nearshore waters from The Islands to Vermilion OH- Lake Erie open waters from Maumee Bay to Reno Beach OH- Lake Erie open waters from Reno Beach to The Islands OH- Lake Erie open waters from The Islands to Vermilion OH- 431 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020 ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST MONDAY... ...LOW WATER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 AM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Lake Erie and western Lake Erie. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Gale Warning. Low Water Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Low Water Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. LEZ145-146-165-166-160945- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Vermilion to Avon Point OH- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Avon Point to Willowick OH- Lake Erie open waters from Vermilion to Avon Point OH- Lake Erie open waters from Avon Point to Willowick OH- 431 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020 ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Lake Erie. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Gale Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Gale Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. LEZ061-147>149-167>169-160945- Lake Erie open waters from Ripley to Buffalo NY- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Willowick to Geneva-on-the Lake OH- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Geneva-on-the-Lake to Conneaut OH- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Conneaut OH to Ripley NY- Lake Erie open waters from Willowick to Geneva-on-the-Lake OH- Lake Erie open waters from Geneva-on-the-Lake to Conneaut OH- Lake Erie open waters from Conneaut OH to Ripley NY- 431 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020 ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... ...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM EST THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Lake Erie and eastern Lake Erie. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Gale Warning. Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. OHZ003-006>009-017>019-027-028-036-160945- Lucas-Wood-Ottawa-Sandusky-Erie-Hancock-Seneca-Huron-Wyandot- Crawford-Marion- 431 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM EST THIS MORNING... ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central Ohio and northwest Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. High Wind Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. OHZ020>023-030>033-038-047-PAZ003-160945- Medina-Summit-Portage-Trumbull-Ashland-Wayne-Stark-Mahoning-Holmes- Knox-Crawford- 431 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central Ohio, northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. OHZ010>014-089-160945- Lorain-Cuyahoga-Lake-Geauga-Ashtabula Inland-Ashtabula Lakeshore- 431 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 11 PM EST THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central Ohio and northeast Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. High Wind Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. OHZ029-037-160945- Richland-Morrow- 431 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 11 AM EST THIS MORNING... ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. High Wind Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ001-002-160945- Northern Erie-Southern Erie- 431 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 11 PM EST THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. High Wind Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
1028 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020
OHZ003-006-017-151630-
Wood-Hancock-Lucas-
1028 AM EST Sun Nov 15 2020
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT WOOD...HANCOCK AND
LUCAS COUNTIES...
At 1027 AM EST, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Defiance to near Celina. Movement
was northeast at 50 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Toledo, Findlay, Bowling Green, Fostoria, Bluffton, Swanton,
Perrysburg, Oregon, Sylvania, Rossford, Waterville, Northwood,
Whitehouse, North Baltimore, Holland, McComb, Weston, Arlington,
Arcadia and Rawson.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
LAT...LON 4172 8388 4173 8346 4173 8345 4172 8347
4170 8346 4169 8343 4170 8333 4163 8320
4162 8342 4100 8342 4099 8346 4091 8348
4090 8351 4082 8352 4082 8388
TIME...MOT...LOC 1527Z 246DEG 43KT 4130 8426 4059 8466
KahnThe Cleveland radar (KCLE), 152 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:03 UTC.
53 thunderstorm wind, 3 high wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Two semis blown over on I-75 two miles ESE of New Baltimore.
Semi blown over on I-75 two miles SE of Perrysburg.
Peak wind gusts measured by Findlay Airport ASOS. Shortly thereafter, tree limbs were snapped one mile south of Findlay.
Large tree fell onto house and caused structural damage in West Toledo.
Estimated wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph and pea-size hail.
Multiple trees down in Genoa.
Multiple trees down in Clay Center.
Multiple trees down in the Elmore area.
Multiple trees and power lines down across Wyandot County, including Upper Sandusky.
Multiple trees and power lines down in the Port Clinton area.
Estimated 63 mph peak wind gust from thunderstorm 4.5 miles west of Attica.
Six trees downed on farm located five miles southeast of Mt. Gilead. Some of the trees were dead.
Seven power poles down along Baumhart Road, between US-6 and OH-2. This is between Vermilion and Lorain.
Large tree fell and caused significant structural damage to a house in Amherst. Another large tree was snapped near its base in Elyria.
Multiple trees down in Savannah. One tree fell onto vehicle. Unknown if there were any injuries.
Mansfield Airport ASOS recorded a peak wind gust of 60 mph from a thunderstorm.
The Mount Vernon Airport ASOS recorded a peak non-thunderstorm wind gust of 68 mph.
Estimated peak wind gust of 70 mph from thunderstorm three miles NE of Wellington.
Large tree limbs down in North Ridgeville.
Tree down across Fitch Road, near John Road, in Olmsted Township.
Downed tree in Westlake.
The Homerville mesonet station recorded a peak wind gust of 62 mph from a thunderstorm. This station is located four miles north of West Salem.
Large tree limb down on Coffinberry Boulevard in Fairview Park.
Cleveland Hopkins Int'l Airport ASOS recorded peak wind gust of 71 mph from a thunderstorm.
The Valley City mesonet station, located five miles southwest of Brunswick, recorded a peak wind gust of 76 mph from a thunderstorm.
Non-thunderstorm peak wind gust of 61 mph at Lorain County Regional Airport.
Numerous dead ash trees down in Montville Township, about four miles SSE of Medina.
Roof damage to Cleveland City Hall.
Burke Lakefront Airport ASOS in Cleveland recorded a 63 mph peak wind gust from a thunderstorm.
Numerous trees down and siding damaged at some homes.
Roof damage to Valley Forge High School in Parma Heights.
Large tree limbs fell onto house in Broadview Heights. Minor damage to gutter and shingles.
Estimated peak wind gust of 65 mph from thunderstorm in Garfield Heights.
Multiple trees down in Shaker Heights. One downed tree partially-blocked Shaker Blvd. Another tree fell onto a house and caused minor structural damage.
Metal roof blown off building in New Franklin.
Large tree down in Mentor. Another tree fell on a car in Painesville and caused two injuries.
Penny to nickel-size hail in Mentor area.
Tree fell onto home at 7800 Clarion Drive in Russell Township.
Large tree down along OH-91 in Stow.
Snapped tree in Munroe Falls.
Trees down across roadway at OH-44 and Clark Road about four miles NNW of Chardon.
Trees down along Basswood Road in Munson Township. Road closed.
Peak wind gust of 59 mph recorded at Akron Fulton Int'l Airport ASOS during thunderstorm.
Trees down along OH-608 in Hambden near Concord line.
Power poles down at South Street and Randall Court in Chardon.
Large tree down and blocking roadway at Ravenna and Hosford Roads in Chardon area.
Peak wind gust of 63 mph recorded at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport ASOS during thunderstorm.
Tree down and road closed at 12233 Woodiebrook Drive in Chardon.
Power pole snapped at 13635 Hall Road in Chardon.
Personal weather station recorded a 72 mph peak wind gust from a thunderstorm.
Many trees down and roofs damaged in Hiram.
Several large trees down in Garrettsville.
Large tree uprooted along Washington Boulevard in Ashtabula. Another tree down two miles south of North Kingsville.
Two trees fell onto a house near the corner of Elm Road and East Market Street in Warren. House sustained minor structural damage.
Tree down on house in Dorset. Roof blown off barn in Pierpont.
Portion of roof blown off at 717 Credit Union on Liberty Street in Hubbard.
Wayne County Airport ASOS recorded a non-thunderstorm peak wind gust of 69 mph. ASOS is located one mile WNW of Smithville.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, November 2020
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 928075, 928076, 928077, 928203, 928078, 928146, 928147, 928148, 928153, 928149, 928152, 928154, 928159, 928155, 928204, 928206, 928205, 928157, 928158, 928207, 928220, 928498, 928208, 928211, 928499, 928156, 928505, 928218, 928212, 928508, 928209, 928219, 928214, 928210, 928568, 928583, 928074, 928530, 928565, 928566, and more.