A number of fires continued to burn across our region on Wednesday, aided by very dry low level air and southeast gusty winds. The switch in wind direction meant smoke moved north into the Tri-State and Kanawha Valley today and was much more noticeable than on Tuesday. Air quality fell into the moderate category for many this evening.
However, rain is coming to the rescue as a low pressure system in the Missouri Valley heads east-northeast into tomorrow. That will push a warm front and cold front through the region over the next 24 hours, resulting in some generous rainfall, especially as some moisture gets tapped out of the Gulf of Mexico.
Rain has held off this evening with the smell of smoke in the air…but rain arrives overnight from west to east and the morning commute will be messy with moderate to heavy rain falling areawide. Heavy ponding and poor visibility from spray can be expected. Wet leaves on secondary roads will make things especially slick. Storm drains blocked by leaves can result in street flooding. You’ll definitely want to get up earlier than usual and allow for extra time on your morning commute.
The widespread rain may taper down briefly in the afternoon before more rain, possibly with an embedded thunderstorm, moves in ahead of the cold front. Temps will spend most of the day in the 40s, briefly popping into the 50s. Scattered showers are then likely Thursday night as winds turn into the northwest behind the front.
That northwest flow will lock in low clouds, scattered light showers and drizzle for much of Friday, especially east of the Ohio River. Temps will struggle to get much above 50 degrees. Hopefully that drizzle is done by the time Light Up the Night at GoMart Ballpark kicks off for the public. Don’t worry, though…the weather Saturday and Sunday evenings will be very nice for taking in the millions of lights.
This rain event looks to be the most generous since Hurricane Helene passed to our south in late September. Most of us should get between a half to an inch and a half of rain. Some spots, especially in the Tri-State, could end up topping 2″, bringing streams and creeks up higher than they’ve been since Helene.
This rain will dent the drought a bit…but given that we’re running about 10″ below normal for the year we’ve still got a ways to go for substantial improvement. What will improve quickly is the fire situation…most should be out by midday Thursday and air quality will improve…