Residents of Columbus, Cincinnati, Wilmington, and surrounding areas can breathe a sigh of relief as they bid adieu to the wet weather and welcome a spell of cooler, drier conditions through the weekend, thanks to a high pressure system making itself at home in the region. According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, this high-pressure system will see temperatures only peaking in the upper 50s to lower 60s today, with lingering clouds expected to clear as the day progresses, moving from northwest to southeast.
Evening plans appear to be unbothered by the elements, with a very dry airmass in place, ensuring only thin, high clouds will drift above. With high pressure as the evening's chaperone, we'll experience some rather impressive radiational cooling tonight, which, though great for stargazing, means temperatures dip into the upper 30s to lower 40s —a bit nippy, so it's best to keep that chic jacket handy. Sunday promises a slight uptick in warmth, with highs hovering around the mid to upper 60s.
Collars need not turn up until perhaps Tuesday. Monday's still all systems go for that outdoor lunch, with the mercury expected to climb comfortably into the mid to upper 70s, "H5 ridge axis will be centered across the Midwest region at the start of the forecast period," says Clark from the National Weather Service. Monday night is expected to have very mild lows due to an increase in cloud coverage, following the passage of a warm frontal boundary from the west.
The charm of this tale fizzles out come Tuesday when the region finds itself in the warm clutches of a surface low, projecting what one might call the week's zenith in temperatures. Dewpoints will be very 'how's your father,' middling in the 60s, setting the stage for potentially capricious weather - a medley of showers and thunderstorms prompted by a cold front's debut late Tuesday. Although the prospect of severe weather looms low, the mixed bag of unstable air might serve up atmospheric theatrics, with CAPE values reaching moderate levels, making it a day to be marked on your calendars.
As for aviation interests, keep those eyes to the ceiling - they're starting at IFR, but hopes are high for an MVFR upgrade by afternoon, followed by a clear stage come nightfall. Flight aficionados will want to note that northwest winds, while spicing up the skies with 20 kt gusts today, will calm down and shift later on. The National Weather Service advises that thunderstorm enthusiasts should mark Tuesday as the day when the celestial fireworks are expected to occur.
