The National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio, has indicated that Columbus, Cincinnati, and surrounding areas should anticipate a series of weak disturbances that will bring chances for light showers starting tonight and again midweek. Meanwhile, temperatures are anticipated to remain abnormally high for this time of year, according to their latest forecast. As a surface high pressure system shifts eastward today, it will pave the way for a southwest low level flow that will usher in warmer air and higher clouds increasing throughout the day, with expected afternoon highs varying from mid 40s in the north to around 50 degrees in the south.
Looking toward this evening and into Tuesday, the 850 mb jet is projected to move overhead, amplifying moisture levels and these conditions, combined with relatively weak atmospheric forcing, could lead to areas of light rainfall developing later tonight and lingering into Tuesday morning, however, even with this precipitation, the overall impact on the region's water levels is anticipated to be minimal. Despite the showers, temperatures are expected to remain above the seasonal norm, with Tuesday's highs forecasted to reach into the low to mid 50s as outlined in the NWS discussion.
Transitioning into the latter half of the week, after a dry Wednesday, residents can anticipate a return of showers and possible thunderstorms starting Wednesday night into Thursday due to an approaching shortwave trough, while temperatures soar to near-record highs towards the end of the week. "One such wave will move into the region Wednesday night into Thursday, bringing showers to the area and even some thunder," the NWS states, adding that Thursday and Friday are likely to be particularly warm ahead of a developing low-pressure system with the forecast hinting at lower 60s on Thursday and mid 60s on Friday, uncomfortably close to record highs for December.
Aviation forecasts also reflect the dynamic changes in weather, with mid and high level clouds persisting this afternoon and a predicted descent into MVFR category cigs this evening, your flight plans may need revising soon with IFR categories by daybreak due to a moistening of the low levels, further impacted by light rain showers and reduced visibility tonight and conditions possibly lingering into Tuesday morning. "Mid and high level clouds can be expected through this afternoon in a developing southerly flow pattern," the NWS Aviation forecast highlights, cautioning about potential low-level wind shear tonight.
