The National Weather Service reports that the Ohio Valley will see a mix of precipitation as a cold front moves through the area today. Residents in Columbus, Cincinnati, Wilmington, and beyond can expect showers and the possibility of thunderstorms as another front approaches Friday evening into Saturday.
The forecast, courtesy of a National Weather Service discussion, indicates that this morning's storms should show a "general weakening trend" as they encounter a less favorable environment. However, the potential for unsettled weather doesn't clear up immediately; the upper-level trough axis is set to pivot east, maintaining shower chances and a few thunderstorms, mainly this morning. As the day progresses, conditions will improve from the west, with the added bonus, a cooler airmass trimming daytime highs to the upper 60s and lower 70s.
Looking forward to Friday, there's a sign of a temporary warm-up. The approach of a secondary cold front could nudge highs ranging from the mid-70s northwest to the mid-80s southeast. But it's not all sunny skies — dewpoints creeping into the low to mid-60s suggest decent instabilities, especially across the southeast half of the area. The service warns "a few strong to severe storms will be possible" with damaging winds being the primary concern for those along and south of the Ohio River.
By Friday night, the weekend starts with a night of showers, especially southeast of the I-71 corridor. Nevertheless, a stretch of cooler, dryer conditions is on the horizon post-Saturday morning. A large surface high builds in behind the departing ridge, ushering in a period of pleasant weather. By Sunday evening, a shot of cold air could see daytime highs steadying near 70 degrees with potential overnight lows dropping into the mid-upper 40s — brace yourselves for a particularly crisp Sunday night.
For those in the air, aviation conditions will likewise fluctuate. Morning flights are likely to encounter IFR conditions and reduced visibility due to the passing front. Southwest winds might pick up steam late Friday morning, with possible gusts around 20 knots as a new front edges closer. After a possibly turbulent Friday night, pilots can anticipate smoother skies ahead, with "dry and cooler weather will be the rule for the region," as per the report specifics.
