12:00 PM Thursday 06/27/2024
Today brings a much more comfortable day in the Tuscarawas Valley behind last evening’s cold front. Local lawns and gardens are happier too after the much-needed rainfall yesterday. Officially at the New Philadelphia airport we managed to get 0.67 inches of rain from yesterday’s showers and storms. We’re still running 2.18 inches short of the average for the month.
Friday’s weather also looks like a winner. Daytime high temperatures will be warmer – around 87° – but dewpoints will remain on the low side. A warm front lifts through east-central Ohio Friday night. That will push dewpoints back up to the low 70s, which means Saturday will be a very muggy day. We also can’t rule out a shower or non-severe storm early Saturday morning.
Once again we find ourselves in a warm, humid, and unstable atmosphere ahead of another approaching strong cold front – the classic summertime severe storm setup. Thunderstorms will threaten again on Saturday with the potential of a few strong/severe storms mainly in the afternoon.
Damaging straight-line wind is the main concern. Saturday’s storms will also have plenty of moisture to tap into so any storm could put down some heavy rainfall. The current setup depicted in the models also brings in a low-end non-zero risk of isolated tornadoes. As such, the NWS Storm Prediction Center has our area included in a Level 2 risk of severe thunderstorms on Saturday.
Just as the situation was with Thursday’s storms, clouds, and showers earlier in the day Saturday will play a role in the potential for strong/severe thunderstorms later in the day. Breaks that allow for ample sunshine will cause an increase in instability and a more favorable environment for storm development.
Thunderstorms should taper off and end Saturday night. Sunshine and much less humid weather returns on Sunday.
Saturday’s severe threat is a couple of days out yet so expect some changes with the forecast. The timing for our local area will also come into better focus over the next 24-36 hours. We’ll also be keeping a close eye on the tornado risk.
