Posted Saturday, July 18, 2020, 10:06 AM
Updated 12:09 PM
So far we’ve had 10 days where we reached 90° or higher for the daytime high in New Philadelphia. Today will be number-11. Dry conditions and hot temperatures will continue today under high pressure. Temperatures in the afternoon should top out in the low-90s in most locations but dew points will be moderate – mainly in the mid-60s. It will be hot, but the humidity will at least be tolerable.
That will change on Sunday. Temperatures will once again heat up to the mid-90s locally and dew points will climb to the low 70s. This means we’re in store for very hot and humid conditions tomorrow afternoon. Heat index values will very easily reach the upper 90-s to near 100° Sunday afternoon. I would expect to see heat advisories going up at some point today for tomorrow afternoon in all or parts of our area.
PROJECTED HEAT INDEX VALUES Sunday afternoon from the NAM3k (North American Model)In addition to the heat and humidity tomorrow, a weak front will drop across east-central Ohio Sunday night. Eventually, it will stall out south of Ohio Monday afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms will likely develop late in the afternoon in northern Ohio then travel south. The initial thunderstorms late in the day could be severe but current guidance suggests that they will weaken as they travel south into central Ohio Sunday evening.
That being said, there remains a small chance of a strong/severe thunderstorm or two late-day Sunday into Sunday night – especially in northern parts of the Tuscarawas Valley. Any thunderstorms that happen to hold together will be capable of producing strong wind gusts and hail. The Storm Prediction Center has this area highlighted for a Slight Risk (Level #2 on a scale of 1 – 5) for severe thunderstorms.
There is still some question with regard to timing but generally speaking, the earlier thunderstorms develop and travel south, the higher the chances for a severe thunderstorm here in the Valley will be. Thunderstorm chances will gradually diminish after sunset.
Hot and humid weather, as well as chances for showers and thunderstorms, will continue into Monday morning.
