A long duration high wind event occurred across the area on February 24th. A low pressure system tracked out of the southern Plains and rapidly deepened as it moved towards the Great Lakes Region. This low originated over the panhandle of Texas on the 23rd with central pressure of 998 mb. The low tracked northeast to near Chicago by late on the 23rd, lifting a warm front across northern Ohio. The low continued northeast towards eastern portions of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, deepening to 974 mb by mid-day on the 24th. This low extended a cold front over northern Ohio, moving west to east, and brought very strong southwest to westerly winds to the region during the morning hours on the 24th. Strong winds behind the cold front began in Northwest Ohio around 8 AM and reached Northeast Ohio just before Noon. Wind gusts of 50-60 mph were common through the afternoon and into the evening with some locations experiencing gusts of over 60 mph. Some of the peak wind reports included 67 mph at Cleveland Hopkins and Lorain County Airports, 64 mph at Toledo Express Airport, 63 mph at Findlay Airport, 61 mph at Akron-Canton, Burke Lakefront, Wayne County, and Youngstown-Warren Airports, 60 mph at Mansfield Lahm Airport, 59 mph at Erie-Ottawa and Toledo Executive Airports, and 58 mph at Cuyahoga County Airport.
The persistent battering of the very strong winds resulted in thousands of power outages to residents across the area. Over 200,000 power outages were reported across Ohio. Damage to trees were common, as large limbs were snapped or whole trees uprooted, exasperated by wet soil conditions that allowed trees to be toppled easily. In some cases trees fell on homes, power wires, and other structures. At least 2 semi-trucks were flipped on area roadways and a ban on empty semi-trucks was issued prior to the onset of strong winds for the Ohio Turnpike and I-90 by the Ohio Department of Transportation. Structural damage from the wind was also reported to numerous structures.

High Wind in STARK, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees and power lines were downed across the area, including in North Canton and Massillon. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

High Wind in LAKE, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees and power lines were downed across the area. A large tree was downed onto Interstate 90 in Kirtland, blocking several eastbound lanes. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

High Wind in HURON, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 10:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Trees and power lines were downed across the county. The roof of an apartment complex in Norwalk was partially damaged due to strong winds. Scattered power outages were also reported in the area.

High Wind in MARION, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 125.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees and power lines were downed across the area. Several trees fell onto buildings in the city of Marion. Two vehicles were blown over on US Route 23, north of Marion. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

High Wind in HANCOCK, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 08:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Findlay Airport reported a 63 mph wind gust at 8:53 am local time. Trees and power lines were downed across the area, including in Findlay. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

High Wind in ASHTABULA LAKESHORE, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

An automated weather station in Conneaut measured a 69 mph wind gust at 8:50 pm local time. Trees and power lines were downed across the area. All school districts in Ashtabula County were closed on the 25th due to the impacts from the strong winds.

High Wind in MAHONING, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 175.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees and power lines were downed across the area. A tree heavily damaged a home in Boardman and two other fallen trees damaged a roof of a home in Youngstown and Campbell. Several thousand were without power on the 24th and into the 25th.

High Wind in ASHTABULA, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 65.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees and power lines were downed across the area. A large metal auto dealership sign was blown down in Jefferson. All school districts in Ashtabula County were closed on the 25th due to the impacts from the strong winds.

High Wind in PORTAGE, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees and power lines were downed across the area, including in Aurora and Kent. A bank sign was blown over in Rootstown. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

High Wind in GEAUGA, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees and power lines were downed across the area, including in Chardon, Middlefield, Bainbridge Township, and Hambden Township. A tree fell into a home in Chardon and several structures with roof damage were noted in Hambden Township. Several thousand were without power in the county into the 25th.

High Wind in SUMMIT, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Akron-Canton Airport reported a 61 mph wind gust at 7:24 pm local time. Numerous trees, power lines, and power poles were reported down across the entire area, including in Akron, Clinton, Hudson, Macedonia, Munroe Falls, and Stow. A large tree smashed into a house in Akron. Several thousand were without power on the 24th and into the 25th.

High Wind in TRUMBULL, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 125.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Youngstown-Warren Airport reported a 61 mph wind gust at 1:57 pm local time. Several trees and power lines were reported down across the entire area, including Vernon Township, Cortland, and Bolindale. A roof and facade of a building in Warren was damaged. Several thousand were without power on the 24th and into the 25th.

High Wind in MEDINA, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 10:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Trees and power lines were downed across the area. A tree fell into a home in Medina. Scattered power outages were reported in the area.

High Wind in HOLMES, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees and power lines were downed across the area, including in the Millersburg area. Scattered power outages were also reported in the area.

High Wind in KNOX, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 10:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Trees and power lines were downed across the area, including in the Mount Vernon area. Scattered power outages were also reported in the area.

High Wind in RICHLAND, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 10:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 85.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Mansfield Lahm Airport reported a 60 mph wind gust at 10:37 am local time. Several trees and power lines were reported down across the area, including Mansfield and Lucas. Scattered power outages were reported in the area.

High Wind in ASHLAND, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 10:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Trees and power lines were downed across the county, including in the city of Ashland and Milton Township. A tree fell onto a home in Ashland and severely damaged a chimney. Scattered power outages were also reported in the area.

High Wind in ERIE, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 10:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees and power lines were downed across the county, including in Huron and Sandusky. A tree fell onto a camper in Huron, destroying the vehicle and damaging a nearby structure. A tractor-trailer was overturned on the Edison Bridge near Bay View.  Scattered power outages were also reported in the area.

High Wind in WAYNE, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 10:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wayne County Airport reported a 61 mph wind gust at 11:19 am local time. Several trees and power lines were reported down across the entire area, including in Orrville and Wooster. Scattered power outages were reported in the area.

High Wind in MORROW, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 10:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees and power lines were downed and scattered power outages were also reported across the area.

High Wind in SANDUSKY, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees and power lines were downed and scattered power outages were also reported across the area.

High Wind in SENECA, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Trees and power lines were downed across the area, including in Tiffin. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

High Wind in CRAWFORD, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees and power lines were downed across the area. A large tree fell onto a garage on the west side of Galion. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

High Wind in WYANDOT, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees and power lines were downed across the area. A metal roof was blown off a building in Upper Sandusky. A tractor-trailer was blown over on US Route 23, northwest of Upper Sandusky. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

High Wind in OTTAWA, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Erie-Ottawa Airport reported a 59 mph wind gust at 10:35 am local time. Several trees and power lines were reported down across the area. Several buildings in Port Clinton had notable roof or wall damage due to the high winds. Scattered power outages were reported in the area.

High Wind in LUCAS, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 08:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Toledo Express Airport reported a 64 mph wind gust at 9:58 am local time. Trees and power lines were downed and scattered power outages were also reported across the area.

High Wind in WOOD, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 08:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 80.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Toledo Executive Airport reported a 59 mph wind gust at 8:53 am local time. Trees and power lines were downed across the area, including in Pemberville. A tractor-trailer was blown over on US Route 6 near Bradner. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

High Wind in LORAIN, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 10:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Lorain County Airport reported a 67 mph wind gust at 11:35 am local time. Numerous trees, power lines, and power poles were reported down across the county, including one tree into a home in Elyria. Several thousand were without power on the 24th into the 25th.

High Wind in CUYAHOGA, OHIO
From 24-FEB-19 10:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Cleveland Hopkins Airport reported a 67 mph wind gust at 12:58 pm local time. Burke Lakefront Airport reported a 61 mph wind gust at 10:23 am local time. Cuyahoga County Airport reported a 58 mph wind gust at 11:45 am local time. Cuyahoga County was the hardest hit county during this high wind event. Numerous trees, power lines, and power poles were reported down across the county with almost every city reporting wind-related incidents. Thousands were without power on the 24th into the 25th and some residences did not receive power for days. Several school districts were closed due to wind-related damage or power outages. Several buildings received wind damage during the event as trees and power lines fell onto structures. The most notable building damage was an entire apartment complex in Woodmere lost its roof, crashing onto several vehicles below. This event was the most significant non-thunderstorm wind event for the county since the post-tropical remnants of Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 in structures damaged and dollars of damage.