Is it good to stain in Cleveland, OH this week?
A live 7-day go/no-go calendar for deck & fence stain in Cleveland, built from the local forecast against the 5°F-above-dew-point rule. We lead with the signal a weather app misses: overnight condensation risk.
- Dew margin
- 1.5°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 41%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 1.5°F of the 63°F dew point (low 65°F, 100% cloud, 7 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 1.8°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 15%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 1.8°F of the 68°F dew point (low 70°F, 79% cloud, 8 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 5.1°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 20%
- Window
- 12pm–5pm
High humidity (94%, over the 85% mark) slows drying — keep an eye on the cure window.
- Dew margin
- 8.1°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 12%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 71–77°F, RH under 79%, surface stays 8.1°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- Dew margin
- 10.9°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 39%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Some rain risk (39%) during the cure window — re-check the radar before you start.
- Dew margin
- 4.5°F
- Overnight dew
- Watch
- Rain
- 51%
- Window
- —
Rain likely in the 24h cure window (51% chance, ~2.9mm) — it can wash out or mar an uncured stain.
- Dew margin
- 14.2°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 29%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 71–74°F, RH under 74%, surface stays 14.2°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 1.5°F of the 63°F dew point (low 65°F, 100% cloud, 7 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Rain likely in the 24h cure window (41% chance, ~1.1mm) — it can wash out or mar an uncured stain.
- High humidity (94%, over the 85% mark) slows drying — keep an eye on the cure window.
Hold off. These are forecast numbers — confirm the surface temperature on-site before you start.
Why these thresholds
Stain applied to a damp or dew-wet board can't penetrate — it beads, stays tacky and flakes. Wood must be dry and stay above the dew point while it sets.
- • Surface temp must stay 5°F above the dew point through application and cure (ASTM D3276 / ISO 8502-42).
- • Air + surface in the 50–90°F band (low-temp lines to 45°F).
- • Humidity under 85%; ideally under 70%.
- • No rain for 24h after application.
- • We use the forecast ground-surface temperature as a surface-temp proxy — confirm on-site with an IR thermometer.
Free in the beta
Watch this job site 24/7
Get an email the moment overnight dew, rain, or an out-of-range stretch threatens a fresh coat — and a morning digest with the best window ahead. No app to check; we watch the forecast for you.