Posted Monday AM, May3, 2021
Showers and embedded thunderstorms are likely through much of today with an upper-level system moving through from the south. As I discussed on Saturday, this is just the first of several systems that will keep favorable rain and thunder chances for the first half of the week.
Any thunderstorms today are more likely to be the garden-variety type. The higher odds for thunder in our immediate area would be late this afternoon into the evening. Cloud cover will limit the amount of instability most of the day and the threat for severe storms here is very low – not zero, but pretty low. Any storm this afternoon could produce strong wind gusts. Chances for a strong storm today will be slightly higher as you get closer to and south of I-70.
I expect we’ll see a break in steady showers tonight into Tuesday morning. It will be a short break, however. Chances for showers and storms will return mid-day Tuesday as the next disturbance moves through east-central Ohio. The heaviest and steadiest rain looks to occur during the evening and into Tuesday night.
Again, the odds for severe thunderstorms are low locally but at the same time, slightly higher than on Monday. And, just like Monday, clouds will play a big role in keeping the threat on the low side. There could be an isolated strong thunderstorm containing strong wind gusts IF enough instability develops.
As the system tracks east into Ontario late Tuesday it will drag a cold front through eastern Ohio. Odds for showers and storms will continue as the front makes its way through Tuesday night. We should see chances for rain decrease Wednesday as everything moves out of the region and high pressure starts to build in overhead.
All of this activity will bring another good slug of rain to the Valley over the course of the next 72 hours. We could see an inch to 1.5-inches of rain here in the Valley through Wednesday morning. Thankfully the rain will be spread out over time so we should be spared any major flooding issues.
COOLER TEMPERATURES RETURN WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
Temperatures Monday and Tuesday will stay in the 70s but we will see a return of cooler air behind an early Wednesday morning cold front. The warmest part of the day is in the morning Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-50s. The afternoon will bring a slow decline with temps in the low-50s by sunset..
Thursday also looks to stay dry with weak high pressure in control. It will still be a seasonally cold day with highs only in the mid to upper-50s.
THE WEEKEND AND MOTHER’S DAY
Chances for showers will return Friday and Saturday. While it doesn’t look to be a complete washout towards the end of the week, it won’t be sunny and bright either. I’m going with a mix of clouds and occasional sun along with chances for a shower to pop now and then.
Mother’s Day looks mainly dry at this time but spotty showers can’t be ruled out. Generally, temperatures will remain cooler than normal for early May with a daytime high around 60°.
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