Cincinnati weather: Rain, strong storms Thursday, with possible tornado risk
Heavy rain, winds and storms are possible Thursday after unseasonably warm weather the day before.
According to a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service, a few strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening with damaging winds as the primary threat. A tornado can also not be ruled out.
Areas under the watch include East Central and Southeast Indiana and Central, South Central, Southwest and West Central Ohio.
Rain and thunderstorms are also possible through the morning, with the potential for localized flooding in low-lying or flood-prone areas. According to the weather service, steady rain and storms will linger along the Ohio River, where total rain in excess of 1.5 inches will be possible.
[4:45 AM] Rain and storms will overspread the area through the AM commute, especially for the Tri-State into the Miami Valley and EC IN. Storm activity will focus more toward the Ohio River and points to the south by the afternoon, where locally heavy rain is possible. pic.twitter.com/6hDVOukXZF
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) February 16, 2023
The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory until 10:30 a.m. Thursday due to the heavy rain. Areas impacted include:
Covington, Florence, Independence, Erlanger, Newport, Fort Thomas, Edgewood and Alexandria in Northern Kentucky.
Cincinnati, Norwood, Forest Park, Reading, Montgomery, Harrison, North College Hill and Maderia in Greater Cincinnati.
There is the possibility of flooding in low-lying areas and poor drainage areas and water over the roadways. The weather service advises to use caution and to turn around if you encounter flooded roads.
The rain will continue through today and overnight, with clear skies expected by Friday and continuing through the weekend.
Temperatures will also cool down with a high of 37 degrees Friday and 47 degrees Saturday.
What is the Ohio River level in Cincinnati?
The Ohio River at Cincinnati is currently low, measuring around 29.12 feet, according to the weather service's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service. It is well below the action stage of 40 feet and the flood stage of 52 feet, although it is expected to rise in the coming days.
It is expected to rise to 29.9 feet by 5 a.m. Friday, 31.6 feet by 5 a.m. Saturday and 35.9 feet by 7 a.m. Sunday. The river level forecast expects it to hit a high of 37 feet by 7 a.m. Sunday.
River forecasts typically only include two days of future rain.
Detailed Cincinnati forecast
Thursday: A high near 66. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 4 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Thursday night: Cloudy, with a low around 29. Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and midnight. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37.
Friday night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 24.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 47.
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Monday (President's Day): Partly sunny, with a high near 52 and a chance of rain.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56 and a chance of rain.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54 and a chance of rain.
Source: National Weather Service, Wilmington.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Weather: Strong rain, storms Thursday, with possible tornado risk
