Rain returns this afternoon as low pressure crosses the Great Lakes. A crossing front will end most precipitation early Friday but will bring colder temperature for the weekend.
Today will bring a few weather issues to the area. All due to a strengthening storm system that will cross the Great Lakes region this afternoon. But first, let’s take a look at this morning’s fog. It appears fog will hamper commuters this morning but it is slowly thinning. Things should begin to improve as we get through the morning. A Fog Advisory is in place for much of the region and is scheduled to expire at 9:00 AM.
After the morning fog, attention turns to the rain potential. A warm front will lift through east-central Ohio this morning bringing a warm, humid and somewhat unstable airmass into the region this afternoon. At the same time, low pressure will approach the Great Lakes trailing a cold front.
Thunderstorms will develop to our west and a few of these may hold together long enough and continue into east-central Ohio and the Valley. While the strongest storms should remain in the west, the potential for gusty wind mixing down to the surface can’t be ruled out. Gusts are expected to remain below severe thresholds, though.
Thunderstorms won’t be the only time to watch for gusty winds. Winds will pick up anyway later this evening as a cold front approaches for an early Friday crossing.
TIMING
Hi-res Futurecast radar from noon today indicates showers and possible thunderstorms beginning at around 2:00 PM.
Another weather threat today will be heavy rainfall. There will be plenty of moisture in today’s soupy airmass and a potential for an inch or two of rain today. A Flood Watch also remains in effect until tomorrow morning.
It will be a warm day, however. Most neighborhoods will see afternoon highs in the low 60s. The record high today in New Phila is 62° set in 2017. We could very well tie or beat that today.
The cold front sinks through the region late tonight. The springlike warmth and humidity will be replaced by colder and drier air behind the front. That will bring an end to the rain showers but also bring a return to wintry temperatures for the weekend.
Area roads will be wet tonight from the rain and temperatures will crash below freezing before sunrise Friday. Black ice will be something to watch out for during the Friday morning commute.
The warmest part of Friday will be in the morning. You’ll wake with temperatures in the upper 20s and they’ll continue sliding downward through the day. By the time you head home after work, we’ll be back in the lower 20s.
Although occasional sunshine will return for Friday, it will not be a very nice day. Temperatures will not only be colder, but a blustery west wind will make for some biting wind chills in the 10° to 14° range. Winter returns!
WEEKEND WEATHER
Saturday looks dry sunny and cold with afternoon temperatures in the mid-20s. Thankfully, the gusty wind will have died down. We’ll be a little warmer on Sunday but not as much sunshine as the next weather system approaches from the west. This system will likely bring chances for snow showers to begin the new work week.
