Central Ohio residents should prepare for the possibility of severe weather the evening of June 17 as forecasters warn that thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding and a few tornadoes could move through the region.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington has placed Columbus and much of central Ohio under a hazardous weather outlook, with storms expected to develop late in the afternoon before tracking southeast through the evening and overnight hours. While damaging wind is expected to be the primary threat, forecasters say isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
After forecasters warned on June 16 that conditions could support a few tornadoes across parts of the Midwest, central Ohio remains under a hazardous weather outlook as another round of showers and thunderstorms is expected to move through the region Wednesday evening and overnight.
While damaging winds are expected to be the primary threat, the weather service said large hail, localized flash flooding and a few tornadoes also will be possible as storms develop later and move southeast across the state.
The latest outlook continues to place the highest severe weather risk west of Columbus, but central Ohio is still expected to see thunderstorms capable of producing strong winds and heavy rainfall.
When are storms expected in Columbus?
Columbus is expected to see increasing clouds throughout June 17 with a high near 83 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms are likely that night, especially after sunset, with rain chances reaching 100%. South winds could gust as high as 34 mph ahead of the storms.
Conditions are expected to improve June 18, with only a slight chance of lingering morning showers before skies become mostly sunny. High temperatures are forecast to reach around 81 degrees, though breezy conditions will continue through the day.
Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Severe storms could bring damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes to central Ohio
Reporting by Amani Bayo, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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By Amani Bayo, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
