Cincinnati is starting on a mostly clear and cool note this morning, sitting around 39°F at dawn with light southeast winds. That chill will not last long. Expect a mild afternoon with a high near 71°F before the pattern does a fast flip: an even warmer day is on tap Thursday, followed by a strong cold front that will bring showers and thunderstorms Thursday night into Friday.
Afternoon Warm-Up
Warm southerly flow will send temperatures Thursday into the upper 70s to low 80s, with some parts of the metro pushing close to 83°F. That puts the area within striking distance of local March 26 records. Thursday’s record highs include 82°F at CVG, 81°F at DAY, and 80°F at CMH, a mark that dates back to 1907. Winds will also pick up on Thursday, with gusts expected to reach 25-30 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Thursday Night Storms
A strong cold front will move in on Thursday night, with showers and thunderstorms developing after about 8 p.m. The main concern will be damaging straight-line winds and localized heavy rain, with new rainfall totals of about a half to three-quarters of an inch possible. Large hail and tornadoes appear less likely at this time, but an isolated stronger storm cannot be ruled out, so it is worth keeping an eye on local watches and the Storm Prediction Center for any updates.
Commuter And Weekend Outlook
Thursday night’s storms could cause some headaches for the evening commute and into early Friday morning, with rain lingering as temperatures fall and highs drop into the low 50s on Friday. Conditions should improve Friday night as skies clear and lows settle near 30°F. The payoff arrives for the weekend: Saturday looks mostly sunny with a high near 54°F, and Sunday moderates into the low 60s, so outdoor plans later in the weekend should be in much better shape once the front moves through.
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