CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO)—High winds on Wednesday brought down power lines and trees, leaving tens of thousands without power in northern Ohio.

As of 4 p.m., FirstEnergy’s website says there are just over 10,000 customers without power, Cleveland Public Power is not reporting any widespread outages and AEP is reporting 7,100.

Click your power company link above for the latest outage information.

Wind Advisories have been issued for Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties until midnight tonight. In these counties, winds could gust 50 to 60 mph for several hours this afternoon and evening.

Click here for the latest from the 19 News First Alert Weather Team.

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With WNBA expansion on the horizon, multiple reports say that Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert intends to make a bid to bring a franchise back to Cleveland.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has talked about the league having 16 teams by the 2028 season. The league will be at 13 teams to start the 2025 season with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries. Toronto and Portland, Oregon have already been announced as the home of future franchises.

Gilbert, whose Rock Entertainment Group also owns the Columbus Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, in addition to the Cavaliers told CNBC, “I just feel extraordinarily confident that, should a team be given to Cleveland, in part because of the city, in part because of what sports means here, in part because of the Cavs, it would immediately be a huge success.”

Ohio State-WNBA connection: Katie Smith, Jacy Sheldon return to Ohio State basketball

Cavaliers CEO Nic Barlage also spoke to CNBC, which was the first to report on the bid, about the potential of the WNBA finding a home in Cleveland.

“We have this unique convergence of infrastructure, culture and these foundational pieces that we think make Northeast Ohio, and specifically Cleveland, a great opportunity to expand from a WNBA perspective,” he said.

Cleveland hosted one of the WNBA’s eight original teams. From 1997 to 2003, the Cleveland Rockets competed in the league before the franchise folded due to low attendance.

Last year, Columbus added a professional women’s team to its city, as it welcomed the Pro Volleyball Federation’s Columbus Fury.

Columbus also had its own professional women’s basketball team, the Columbus Quest, which lasted two seasons from 1996-1998 in the now-defunct America Basketball League.

bmackay@dispatch.com

@brimackay15

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Cleveland, OH – A cold front will sweep through Northern Ohio on Wednesday, bringing cooler temperatures, rain, and gusty winds. Many areas may see their first snowflakes by Thursday.

According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, rain chances will peak Wednesday afternoon, with precipitation forecasts exceeding 80% in cities like Cleveland, Akron, and Canton. Winds will gust between 30 and 35 mph, enhancing the chill.

By Thursday, colder air will settle across the region, potentially creating conditions for the season’s first snow. Areas along Lake Erie, including Ashtabula and Erie, have higher snow chances. Rain will taper off, but breezy conditions will persist.

Travelers should plan for slick roads and reduced visibility during rain and potential snow periods. Forecasters advise staying updated as conditions evolve.

This weather marks a shift to a wintry pattern, with temperatures expected to drop below seasonal norms for several days.

Stay prepared for changing conditions as Northern Ohio transitions to winter.

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