The National Weather Service in Cleveland has reported a weak cold front moving eastward today, bringing scattered rain showers mainly to the south of a line from Mansfield to Cleveland to Erie. According to the NWS forecast, the high pressure expected to follow should lead to clearer skies this afternoon. However, as we edge into the weekend, the tropical remnants of Helene are slated to enter the Ohio Valley by Friday night and linger, although rapidly weakening.
Friday brings heightened chances for precipitation, particularly south of areas including Findlay, Mansfield, and Akron, with “60-70% PoPs.” As Helene’s remnants disintegrate upon reaching the Ohio Valley, the flood risk is minimal. However, some central parts of Ohio might benefit from a quarter to half an inch of rain. In short, Ohioans should keep their rain gear handy but won’t need to brace for severe weather.
As the weekend unwinds, the weather that once was Helene will sprinkle the state with showers, possibly accompanied by isolated thunderstorms. Don’t cancel your outdoor plans yet. The showers are expected to be more miss than hit and light, per NWS Cleveland’s forecast discussion. Saturday and Sunday’s peaks in diurnal heating raise chances of rainfall, particularly in the southwestern part of the forecast area, closer to the surface low…