A Cleveland plow drives a route in the city's Edgewater neighborhood after snowfall in November 2022. Cleveland warming centers will open Monday, January 15, 2024 to help residents who need to escape the cold weather.
Cleveland warming centers will open on Monday, January 15, 2024 to help residents who need to escape the cold weather. Credit: Nick Castele / Signal Cleveland

City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County officials are urging residents prepare for the frigid temperatures that are expected over the weekend. They are also offering resources to help.

Temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s by Sunday and strong winds are expected throughout Northeast Ohio. Wind gusts could reach 60 mph at times. All this has prompted the National Weather Service in Cleveland to issue several weather alerts.

In anticipation of the upcoming cold temperatures the City of Cleveland has decided to open several of their recreation centers as warming sites, according to their website. Here are the dates, sites and hours of operation.

Cleveland Warming Centers

Sunday, January 14  – Wednesday, January 17, 2024


Michael Zone – 11:30a.m. – 10:00p.m. 
6301 Lorain Ave. 44102 

Sterling – 11:30a.m. – 10:00p.m. 
1380 East 32nd Street  44114 

Collinwood – 11:30a.m. – 10:00p.m. 
16300 Lakeshore Ave.  44110 

Zelma George – 11:30a.m. – 10:00p.m. 
3155 Martin L. King Blvd.  44104

Cuyahoga County officials said in news release that they “recognize the critical need for safe havens for our vulnerable population. Our Office of Homeless Services works closely with providers through the Continuum of Care to ensure area shelters are open and have available space. Anyone seeking shelter should contact Coordinated Entry at 216-674-7400.”

They asked that people check in on seniors and those living at risk or needing assistance and provided some winter weather resources and tips.

Winter Resources

Safety Tips

  • Dress warm: If you must go outside, wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellant. Always wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
  • Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia: Frostbite can result in loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ears, and the tip of the nose. Hypothermia can cause uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms of frostbite or hypothermia are detected, get medical help as soon as possible.
  • Keep your pets safe: If it is too cold for you to be outside, it is probably too cold for your pet! Be sure to provide shelter for animals who regularly spend time outdoors. 
  • Be prepared for power outages: Have food, prescriptions and supplies on hand before an outage occurs. Use flashlights instead of candles when able. Unplug electronics to avoid power surges when power is restored.
  • Use extra caution on the road: When driving, slow down and be aware of your surroundings. Allow extra time for travel. Watch for road closures and ALWAYS move over for emergency vehicles.
  • Stay warm safely: Be careful when utilizing space heaters. Do not use space heaters with an extension cord and unplug heaters when they are not in use. Never heat your home with a grill, stove, or gas heater. 
  • Be careful when shoveling: Shoveling snow can be hard work! Remember to take breaks when needed and stop immediately if you feel short of breath or have chest pain.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect the Cleveland’s warming centers opened January 14, 2024.

Community Journalism Director (she/her)
I look for innovative ways to center news on community interests so more Clevelanders can have positive, direct interactions with journalists. I seek out different opinions, support emerging journalists, and teach community writing and story development so people can tell their own stories, build their own power and make the change they want to see.