Above normal temperatures will continue through Monday, but a strong low pressure system and cold front will bring widespread rain Sunday into Monday morning. Cooler but still above normal temperature is expected the rest of the week with periodic chances for precipitation.
A developing storm system in the Plains will bring warm temperatures and widespread rain to east-central Ohio Sunday through Monday morning. Rain chances will begin increasing locally tonight as the system approaches. Widespread rain – some moderate to heavy at times – will continue into Sunday night. With an influx of ample Gulf moisture, rain totals can amount to 1″ to 2″ inches locally over the next 36 hours.
While light rain showers are anticipated Sunday morning, periods of heavier rainfall is expected locally Sunday afternoon and evening. Another round of moderate to heavy rainfall can occur early Monday morning with the system’s cold front. A few rumbles of thunder may accompany the cold front as well.
Gusty south winds will pick up Sunday night as the cold front approaches. Winds will remain gusty through Monday with gusts in the 25 – 30 mph range.
Rain chances will quickly dissipate Monday afternoon/evening as dry air fills in behind the cold front. Dry conditions will also be aided by a dry slot as the parent upper-level low shifts to the northern Great Lakes region.
Although modeling differs somewhat, confidence is high for a widespread rain total of at least an inch of rain for most of our local area. The warm springlike temperatures and an unusually high amount of moisture could push rain amounts to 1.50 inches. Given that this amount of rain will be spread out over an extended period of time, widespread flooding issues are not expected. Localized flooding and street flooding will certainly be possible, however.
Locally we can expect warm temperatures on Sunday and Sunday night. Temperatures will decrease Monday behind the cold front. Lows Monday night will return to the mid-30s. A second cold front is forecast to cross on Tuesday. This second front will reinforce the cold air and produce another round of precipitation. Snow showers will be likely in northern Ohio counties but the lack of substantial moisture in our area will bring only chances for spotty light snow showers. Accumulating snow is not likely locally.
This whole mess will travel off to our east on Wednesday as high pressure builds in from the west. We can look forward to dry conditions and cooler temperatures for New Year’s Day. The next storm system will approach east-central Ohio Thursday. An increasing southwest flow will bring warmer temperatures and rain chances back to the forecast to end the week.
