Heat waves and record temperatures are more than just conversation starters in Ohio this weekend, with the National Weather Service in Wilmington forecasting temperatures that could break records set back in 1984. The balmy weather, exhibiting itself through Sunday, will see a dramatic downturn as a strong cold front is expected to sweep through Sunday night, bringing gusty winds and much colder temperatures into the coming week.
Currently, Columbus and Cincinnati are basking in temperatures that are "solidly above normal," but this will soon change. According to the National Weather Service Wilmington OH, the high pressure that has been gracing the region will move east, and a warm front will bring some showers and potential fog, particularly north and west of I-71. Come Sunday, record highs are in jeopardy across the southern and western parts of the area, with CVG (Cincinnati) hovering at a historical 67 degrees Fahrenheit and CMH (Columbus) at 68 degrees from a year that perhaps some residents remember for its warmth.
Sunday night, however, is set for a meteorological about-face. The aforementioned cold front will not only introduce cooler temperatures but could also incite a line of robust convection, "most likely with no lightning" along the front that may result in strong wind gusts or isolated damaging winds, as per the forecast. The temperature contrast will be stark, plunging from "the upper single digits to lower 20s," as per NWS, a significant departure from the weekend's toastiness.
Travelers and commuters should brace for a gusty Monday with forecasts suggesting wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph, particularly north of I-70. "Another surge of cold air advection during the morning may bump winds up a little higher." Residents might see a flurry of snow showers across west central Ohio as a consequence of the sharp shift in conditions. Through the rest of the week, Ohio will be locked in a chilly embrace as an "upper low meandering over Eastern Canada," according to NWS, maintains its grip.
For those with their eyes on the skies and a keen interest in aviation, the shift in weather patterns will mean "MVFR to IFR ceilings and visibilities will occur Sunday morning," as reported by NWS, with a likelihood of these conditions persisting into Monday. In addition, wind gusts are expected to reach or exceed 30 kt Sunday night into Monday. The advice from authorities is clear: keep a warm coat handy and perhaps, prepare for some delayed flights.
