The odds of our getting desperately needed rain will increase on Friday with the approach of an impressive cold front that will make its way through east-central Ohio early Saturday morning. Unfortunately, the expected amounts of rain will not improve our drought situation.
Friday will start our warm and dry in the Valley under clear skies. Temperatures will warm to above-average values as warmer air flows into the region from the south. There is some uncertainty in how much moisture will accompany this warm air which will, in turn, determine how unstable the atmosphere can become Friday afternoon and evening.
As a result, the Storm Prediction Center has our area highlighted in the Level 1 – Marginal Risk category for severe thunderstorms on Friday.
The primary concern is for damaging wind gusts. The strongest storms could produce hail as well. As mentioned earlier, instability will be the key to whether storms can organize and become severe.
Thunderstorm chances will trail off overnight as they lose the help of daytime heating. The last chance we will get for rain is right along the cold front as it slides south through the region Saturday morning. The threat for severe storms along the front is very low as well as chances for additional storms.
Rain totals with this system do not look all that impressive. The higher rainfall amounts are likely to occur well to our north and east – along the I-80 corridor. Rain amounts in our general area look to be a half-inch or less. This will do little to improve drought conditions here.
Dry weather will return Saturday afternoon and continue into next week. Cooler temperatures behind the front Saturday and Sunday will gradually warm into the 80s again through the upcoming week.
