Residents in the Columbus and Cincinnati areas and the surrounding regions, including Wilmington, are bracing for a wet and windy day as the remnants of Helene sweep through, bringing substantial rainfall and the potential for minor flooding. According to the National Weather Service, we expect "rainy and windy conditions to the region today into this evening," with low pressure set to linger and keep conditions unsettled into early next week.
The National Weather Service forecast also warns of the possibility of minor flooding and substantial rises on smaller creeks and streams after a period of dry conditions. Helene is predicted to transition into an extratropical low as it gets pulled across Kentucky today, with "a large band of tropical rain" slated to pass through the region this afternoon. This could bring 1 to 3 inches of rain into the Whitewater Valley, particularly from the lower Scioto Valley. As the system nears, winds are expected to increase, necessitating a high wind warning in some areas due to gusts that could exceed 40 knots.
Moving into the weekend, Helene's former tropical system will get absorbed into an upper low, bringing dreary conditions and narrower daily temperature ranges on Saturday. Lows are forecasted to hit the lower to mid-60s, while highs remain subdued in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Rain is anticipated to diminish this evening near and west of I-75 but will likely spread back north across the area, mainly during the day on Saturday.
Looking ahead, the National Weather Service indicates that from Saturday night into Monday, there are high chances of rain amidst weak atmospheric forcing and ample low/mid-level moisture. This could result in additional rains up to 1/2 in certain areas, with the potential for a few storms to develop. With this in mind, temperature forecasts for the start of the week suggest a continued pattern of highs ranging from 70-75 degrees and lows in the lower-mid 60s.
Travelers should be aware of the implications for air travel as well. The forecasted conditions cause winds to increase across all terminals throughout the day and peak between 18Z and 00Z. In response to persistent rain and increased winds, visibility at airports may be reduced, with some IFR visibility possible during heavier rainfall in the afternoon. The National Weather Service anticipates the weather will also cause MVFR to IFR ceilings and visibilities likely Saturday into Tuesday.
