Cincinnati is starting the day under a hazy veil, with patchy wildfire smoke and low clouds mixing in with morning mist and temperatures in the mid-60s. That gloomy start will not last long. Mostly sunny skies are expected this afternoon with a high near 90 degrees under light southeast winds, but attention is already shifting to tomorrow, July 21, when a strong front could bring rounds of showers and thunderstorms, some potentially severe, and push heat-index values close to 100.
Morning Haze And Air Quality
Patchy smoke from distant wildfires is expected to be most noticeable between about 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., especially in river valleys and other low-lying spots. Sensitive groups should take it easy and limit prolonged outdoor exertion while the haze hangs around. You can keep tabs on current conditions and the Fire and Smoke map at AirNow for live AQI readings.
Today And Tonight
Through the afternoon, look for mostly sunny skies and a high around 90°F with very light southeast winds. Smoke should gradually thin as the day wears on, although pockets of haze may stubbornly linger near the river and in low-lying neighborhoods. Tonight turns partly cloudy with a low near 71°F. For the full forecast and the Air Quality Alerts that are in effect for parts of the region, see the National Weather Service discussion for Wilmington, Ohio at NWS Wilmington.
Tuesday Storms And Heat
Tomorrow, July 21, is the main trouble spot on the calendar. A strong cold front will push through the area and bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms from morning into evening, with the highest risk for severe weather in the afternoon. Damaging wind is the primary concern, but large hail and an isolated tornado are also on the table, and heavy downpours could lead to localized flash flooding. Ahead of the front, southwest winds of 5 to 12 mph, with gusts near 22 mph, will feed humid air that could drive heat-index values toward 100°F.
What To Know For Plans
If you have outdoor plans tomorrow, go ahead and line up an indoor backup and keep weather alerts turned on, since storms could move through quickly and pack gusty winds and heavy rain. People with respiratory issues should limit time outside while the haze sticks around, and anyone feeling signs of heat stress should seek out cooling centers or other public indoor spaces. We covered the broader late-week cool-down and local cooling-center resources in an earlier update.
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