Posted Friday AM, July 16, 2021
A cold front located this morning over far northern Ohio will slowly sag south today and bring showers and thunderstorms to the east-central Ohio region this afternoon. There are two concerns with these storms: A threat for flash flooding due to heavy rainfall and a low-end threat for damaging wind gusts from the stronger storms that can develop.
The threat of flash flood is the greater concern today. With a good amount of moisture for showers and storms to tap into, and showers and thunderstorms that develop have the potential to bring tropical downpours. These can lead to street and highway flooding as well as flooding in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage. Training of thunderstorms – where a certain area receives multiple rounds of rainfall – is also a concern today.
Some storms could also be on the strong side capable of taping into winds aloft and bringing down gusts to the surface. The Storm Prediction Center has most of eastern Ohio highlighted for a Marginal Risk (Level 1 on a scale of 1-5) of severe thunderstorms today.
LOCAL TIMING
While there can be a spotty shower of popup thunderstorm early today, the main activity will not arrive in our area until late afternoon. Expect several rounds of showers and storms from late afternoon through this evening. The potential for strong storms will taper off after sunset this evening but the threat of heavy rainfall can continue overnight.
Simulated Radar from the hi-res model for today outlines what we might expect through 1:00 AM Saturday:
Showers and thunderstorms are likely to continue into Saturday. While severe storms won’t be a concern tomorrow, the potential for flooding – especially in those areas that receive heavy rain today – will continue.
A Flash Flood Watch is currently in effect for northern Ohio counties. Pittsburgh NWS has elected to wait a bit to issue a Watch for our area. Whether a Watch is issued or not, heavy rainfall leading to localized flooding is a concern for the Valley as well.
All of this rain expected today and Saturday will keep water levels high along the Tuscarawas River. At this time, the river is not expected to reach flood stage but levels will remain elevated into next week.
Stay weather aware later today for a strong gusty thunderstorm and especially heavy downpours causing water problems. Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Updates, as needed, will be posted on TUSCWeather and on our Twitter Feed. Be safe out there.
