9:25 am Wednesday 06/26/2024
As expected, a warm and humid airmass has settled over the east-central Ohio region this morning. Dewpoints are currently running in the upper 60s and will likely reach the low 70s this afternoon ahead of a cold front.
Showers and thunderstorms will rapidly increase to our west ahead of the front early this afternoon and track into our area by mid-afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center has shifted the Level 2 Slight Risk area a bit farther west with the early morning update. This places much of the Tuscarawas Valley area in the Level 2 risk of severe thunderstorm potential.
The primary threat from afternoon thunderstorms remains damaging wind gusts from downdrafts. Some of the strongest storms could also produce hail. Given the abundant moisture in this humid air, some storms will have the ability to produce heavy downpours.
Timing in our area hasn’t changed much. The best opportunity for strong to severe storms impacting our area remains from about 2:00 to around 8:00 pm today. The morning model solutions show this as a fairly widespread event so just about everyone in the Valley should get in on some needed rain today.
The severe threat should end by sunset this evening as the cold front exits east of the region but a few showers could linger until around 11:00 pm. Dry weather, sunshine, and less humid air will return to the area for Thursday and Friday.
HEADS UP FOR SATURDAY
A hot, humid, and unstable airmass will return to the Valley on Saturday as the next cold front approaches. Expect another potential severe weather day on Saturday.
Thanks for the update, Joe. Great job as usual.
Great site and I appreciate the local weather.