This morning it will be important to get your severe weather plan in place before the weather becomes active and severe this afternoon. We are seeing a rare and higher than usual chance for widespread severe weather today.
What You Need To Know
- Strong tornadoes and winds up to 70 mph possible today
- Highest Risk in Toledo area
- Quiet and cooler Thursday
Our biggest threat for strong tornadoes and damaging winds up to 70 mph will be in northwest Ohio. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the Toledo area under a “Moderate” risk for severe weather which is a level 4 out of 5. We don’t see a lot of those here in Ohio. An “Enhanced” risk which is level 3 out of 5 will cover Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. We have two factors working against us with this outbreak of severe weather. It is incredibly unstable and humid out there with tropical air in place from the passing of Tropical Depression Cristobal. We also have a very strong cold front moving out of the Mid-Mississippi valley that will interact with that environment. That cold front will be the initiator for severe weather.
Timing and main threats: While it’s possible to get some more isolated showers and storms early this afternoon, the main time frame for seeing severe weather will begin in western Ohio around 4 pm. The biggest threat is damaging winds up to 70 mph. We are also seeing an increasing chance for strong tornadoes. The most likely time for seeing tornadoes will be late afternoon through early evening hours.
We begin to see storms lose energy and move out of eastern Ohio around midnight. The overnight hours will clear out very quickly and Thursday will be a huge change for us. The rest of the week and weekend look quiet and sunny. A cold front near northern Ohio could bring a very slight chance for a few showers Friday and early Saturday andt it will cool temperatures off over the weekend near the lake.
