weather tomorrow: Near-record warmth across Ohio Valley, storms bring tornado risk Thursday
Unseasonably warm air will linger over the Ohio Valley through Thursday, sending highs into the upper 60s before a frontal system sparks a threat of strong to severe storms late Thursday afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service has placed parts of the region under a heightened risk for damaging winds and a few tornadoes as the warm front interacts with an incoming cold front.
Warm surge pounds the region ahead of the front
Midweek readings have climbed well above seasonal norms. Cities across the region have seen temperatures soar into the mid- to upper-60s, with one observation reaching 70°F by 3 p. m. ET Wednesday — breaking a longstanding Feb. 18 daily record. Southwest winds will push more mild air into the area, producing gusts in many spots that could top 25–30 mph.
In Cincinnati, showers are likely early Wednesday, mostly before 9 a. m., with skies turning partly to mostly cloudy into midmorning and then gradually clearing. Expect a high near 68–69°F with southwest winds around 10–13 mph and gusts up to about 24 mph. Overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning, clouds will increase again with a low near 51°F.
Severe threat spikes Thursday afternoon and evening
A warm front will lift through the region Thursday afternoon and set the stage for thunderstorm development. Forecast guidance points to the main window for severe storms between roughly 1 p. m. and 7 p. m. ET Thursday. The primary hazards will be damaging straight-line winds and a few tornadoes; small hail is also possible. Forecasters emphasize there is uncertainty in how intense the storms will become, but pockets of significant wind damage and isolated tornadoes remain possible if storms consolidate.
Rain and embedded thunderstorms are likely later Thursday, with an 80% chance of precipitation in many areas and potential rainfall totals generally between a quarter and a half-inch where thunderstorms set up, though localized higher amounts could occur. Thursday night will remain unsettled with additional showers and thunderstorms possible into the early morning hours Friday.
Emergency managers and residents should monitor conditions Thursday afternoon and have a plan in case severe weather warnings are issued for their area. If outdoor plans are scheduled for the late day or evening, consider making alternate arrangements or preparing to seek shelter quickly.
Colder air returns for the weekend
A strong cold front will sweep through Friday, sending temperatures back to more seasonable values. Friday’s highs are expected to be notably cooler than Thursday’s, and the post-frontal air mass will keep readings in the 30s to 40s for parts of the region by the weekend. Saturday looks mostly sunny with highs near the upper 40s in many locales, while Sunday will trend colder with highs near the upper 30s.
Overnight lows will drop sharply behind the front; some areas could see readings near freezing by Friday night and into the weekend. A slight chance for mixed precipitation exists in a few interior pockets late Saturday night into Sunday, but most locations should remain rain-free and dry after the frontal passage.
In short: enjoy the brief midweek warmth, but be ready for a potentially impactful late-day storm threat Thursday that could include damaging winds and isolated tornadoes between roughly 1 p. m. and 7 p. m. ET. Cooler, more seasonal conditions follow for the weekend.
