Heads up, Ohioans. The National Weather Service has issued a forecast that spells wet weather for the Columbus and Cincinnati regions, stretching through Wilmington and beyond. According to the NWS's latest area forecast discussion, we can expect high pressure to make its exit stage right today. It makes room for an approaching low pressure from the Southern Plains that's set to turn things soggy from this afternoon into the night.
The low pressure's debut won't go unnoticed, as the associated moisture will ride in on a 55-65 knot low-level jet stream, bumping up precipitation chances this afternoon southwest and blanketing the region by early evening. While temperatures might feel mild for the day, with highs hovering between the mid-40s to the lower 50s, thanks to a southern flow, keep your umbrellas handy as clouds gather and signal imminent rain.
Come tonight, this Southern Plains low aims to eject northeast and sweep through the Ohio Valley by Friday. The NWS states, "Widespread rainfall is expected tonight in response to favorable moisture transport," with rainfall south of the Ohio River potentially reaching 1.25 to 1.5 inches by Friday morning. While flooding concerns are low-key, "some nuisance issues are possible where the heaviest rainfall axis sets up." Overnight, you can expect mild temps not to dip much, with lows from the upper 30s north to lower/middle 40s south.
Friday keeps the damp theme as the low-pressure system continues its eastward trek, and a cold front sneaks in late in the day. Anticipate the rain to persist into the morning but taper off gradually, while warmer spots south of the Ohio River may see highs up to around 60 degrees. According to NWS projections, this cold front won't just be another face in the crowd. By Friday night, we'll witness the potential for some rain to play the old switcheroo to light snow as colder air settles in.
The weather plot promises a twist starting Saturday, with dry conditions resuming and temperatures bouncing between the 30s and 60s through to Tuesday. By the time we close on Wednesday, however, another system waltzes in, bringing a blend of uncertainty and a smorgasbord of potential rain, snow, or some wintry mix. NWS Wilmington advises sticking close to the NBM temperatures owing to said uncertainty. And for those wondering about flying conditions, NWS cautions, "MVFR/IFR conditions likely into Friday." So keep that in mind if you plan to be airborne over the weekend.
