Cincinnati started Monday, April 27, looking deceptively calm, with clear skies and chilly readings in the mid 40s at local observation sites. By this afternoon, though, the sun is expected to crank temperatures into the low 80s before a late night batch of showers and thunderstorms storms in and steals the show heading into early Tuesday.
Afternoon And Tonight
Expect a textbook spring warm-up today, with a sunny sky and a high near 83°F. Southeast winds will run around 3 to 10 mph, with occasional gusts up to about 21 mph. Late tonight, showers and thunderstorms are forecast to pick up in coverage as a more organized band moves through. South winds around 13 mph are likely, with gusts that could reach 24 mph. Heavier storms may drop roughly one half to three quarters of an inch of rain in spots, according to the National Weather Service.
Overnight Threats
Forecasters expect the main line of storms to roll through roughly between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. Instability looks modest, but strong wind shear could still help generate a few storms capable of damaging straight-line winds. Localized flooding is possible where the heavier cells repeatedly track over the same areas, although the most intense severe threat is still projected to sit just west of the metro.
Local TV meteorologists have already slapped a "First Alert Weather Day" label on Monday night into Tuesday morning, a sign they want viewers paying attention rather than getting surprised in the middle of the night. Residents are urged to monitor watches and warnings and be ready to head indoors quickly if conditions deteriorate, according to FOX19.
Tuesday And The Week Ahead
Tuesday will stay unsettled, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms lingering through much of the day and a high near 79°F. A more widespread round of rain is likely Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as the system finishes sliding through.
Behind it, cooler and drier air settles in, with highs dropping into the low to mid 60s by Thursday and sunnier skies taking over late in the week, according to the National Weather Service.
Commute And Safety Tips
If you have evening plans, you might want to bump them earlier or at least pack a rain jacket. Heavy downpours and gusty winds late tonight could slow traffic, reduce visibility, and cause brief power outages in a few neighborhoods.
Before the storms arrive, secure outdoor furniture or loose items that could turn into wind-borne projectiles, avoid driving through standing water on the roads, and keep a fully charged phone nearby. If warnings are issued overnight, move to a sturdy interior room away from windows and stay put until the storms move out.
