Cincinnati woke up in a sticky, low-70s haze this morning, with clouds hanging tough and showers already taking a run at parts of the metro today. A batch of morning rain may slide through before mid-morning, and another round of showers and storms could fire up later this afternoon and into the evening. Highs should top out near 86°F, and any heavier downpour could quickly lead to ponding on roads and at low-lying intersections.
Showers Today; Thunderstorms Possible
Forecasters are calling for about a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms today, with southwest winds around 5 mph and most spots picking up only a tenth to a quarter of an inch of rain. Any slow-moving storm could wring out locally heavier totals and sharply cut visibility on area roadways. According to the National Weather Service Wilmington, a Flood Watch is in effect through late tomorrow night for parts of the region.
Saturday Flood Risk And Timing
Tomorrow, a boundary sagging south will ramp up storm coverage and the risk of locally heavy rainfall. Some locations could collect 0.5 to 0.75 inch during the day, with isolated higher amounts where storms stall out. Those heavier rain rates bring a risk of brief urban and creek flooding, especially in neighborhoods that are already known for standing water. For background, see our July 8 update.
Commute And Event Tips
Drivers should plan for pockets of heavy rain during the afternoon and evening commutes, ease off the gas, and avoid any roadway that looks more like a creek than a street. If you have outdoor plans tomorrow night, line up a dry backup and keep an eye on how the sky and the radar are looking. Signing up for local alerts and checking the latest forecast before heading out can help you dodge the worst of it.
Looking Ahead
High pressure is expected to build in early next week, bringing a stretch of drier, warmer weather, with highs climbing into the upper 80s to low 90s by Tuesday and Wednesday. The immediate flood threat should ease after tomorrow, unless additional rounds of storms manage to redevelop.
