The forecast is in, and it seems the Columbus and Cincinnati areas, along with Wilmington and surrounding regions, are in for a spell of dry and steadily heating conditions. According to the National Weather Service, high pressure is expected to maintain dry weather through the middle of the week, with a subsequent increase in temperatures as we head towards the weekend. The agency announced that the "heat will build during the middle of the week."
Today's outlook is primarily sunny skies, particularly north of the Ohio River, while the southern locales might catch some high cloud action overnight, the lows will drop to a comfy range of 50s and 60s, but don't expect this to last for long. Into tomorrow, the temperatures are expected to rise; the readings may reach the upper 80s to lower 90s in most areas, although the heat index values are anticipated to stay just shy of advisory levels for Wednesday.
The long term doesn't relent much on the warmth. As per the forecast from the National Weather Service, a surface high-pressure system to the east will usher in southerly flows and a touch more humidity. With mid-level ridging closing in from the Mississippi Valley, temperatures will hit their stride peaking around Thursday and Friday, it’s not just about the mercury climbing, it's how it feels - and the heat index is set to underscore the sizzle.
But we're not locked into eternal sunshine and heat here, the weekend forecast offers up a change with the ridge expected to flatten slightly, allowing for disturbances near our farther north neighbors to send down chances of showers and storms starting Friday afternoon, these will eventually meander south to cover our forecast area by Saturday before they decide to settle near and south of the Ohio River by Sunday. "We may see frontal passage by late Sunday bringing drier weather to start next week," says the National Weather Service, providing maybe the light at the end of this very warm tunnel.
Flying conditions mirror the clear weather patterns with the National Weather Service announcing VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions, notwithstanding potential river valley fog at KLUK overnight. Pilots can anticipate some high cloud visibility at times with "Cu will develop for the daytime hours with CAA and then dissipate late in the afternoon leaving clear skies." Those planning to traverse the skies should enjoy gentle winds under 10 knots throughout their journey. The forecast, however, does signal possible thunderstorms on the radar for Friday and Saturday, so it's best to keep an eye out if your weekend includes any plans for a flight.
