Strong low pressure will travel across east-central Ohio on Thursday and could bring another round of severe thunderstorms to the region during the afternoon and evening. The timing of the system and how warm temperatures can get are primary factors that determine how strong thunderstorms can become.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has painted all of eastern Ohio in the standard Slight Risk (Level 2 on a scale of 1-5) for severe thunderstorms on Thursday.
Any thunderstorms that develop during the latter part of the day will have the potential to produce damaging wind gusts, hail, and pockets of heavy rainfall. Isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
Rainfall produced by any storms on Thursday can be heavy at times. The ground is already saturated in many areas locally from recent heavy rain and any appreciable rainfall locally could lead to additional flooding concerns.
The position and track of the low, degree of daytime heating/destabilization, and timing will play a role in the strength of thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon. As of Wednesday morning, the best opportunity for severe weather around the Tuscarawas Valley is between 5 pm and 9 pm on Thursday.
Whether severe storms develop or not, a strong pressure gradient produced by the low pressure system will bring gusty wind Thursday and Friday. Occasional gusts to 35 mph will be possible through Friday.
Temperatures in the low to mid-70s are expected on Thursday. Friday’s temperatures will be around 20° cooler behind a cold front.
Updates to this severe weather outlook are likely during the next 24 hours. (I expect the SPC to upgrade a part of central and/or eastern Ohio to a Level 3 Enhanced Risk at some point today.)
