Temperatures across east-central Ohio will warm to the upper 70s to around 80° today ahead of a potent cold front that will travel north to south through the afternoon and evening. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop ahead of and along the front. As they travel south, they will encounter a more favorable environment to become severe.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed all of the region in a Level 2, Slight Risk for severe weather later today. The primary threat with thunderstorms today is the potential for large hail and damaging wind gusts. There is a high potential for large hail up to 2″ with any thunderstorm today.
The probability of tornadoes is quite low, 2% – 4%, but an isolated tornado can’t be ruled out.
LOCAL TIMING
Thunderstorms can develop as early as 2:00 PM this afternoon, north of our area. They will travel south through eastern Ohio through the rest of the afternoon into the evening. The most likely timing for severe weather in our area is around 3 PM to 8 PM.
AFTER THE STORM
The threat of severe weather should wrap up around 10:00 PM in our area. Current model trends lean toward quiet but chilly weather on Monday and Tuesday. Daytime high temperatures on Monday will be some 30° colder than those on Sunday. Temperatures will gradually warm each day through Wednesday.
The next opportunity for rain locally may arrive on Thursday with another cold front.
Personal Suggestion: The potential for large hail with today’s storms is unusual for our area. I highly suggest you cover or garage your vehicles if at all possible. While there is no guarantee we’ll see hail that large locally, conditions will increase the likelihood of large hail occurring.
