The storms are part of a line of strong storms moving across the country Wednesday.
Severe storms Tuesday afternoon produced hail in Oklahoma and damaging winds from northeast Oklahoma to Missouri. There have been tornado warnings in that region, but no tornadoes have been reported.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a Severe Weather Outlook alert stating the risk of severe thunderstorms exists for Arkansas, northern Texas, northern Louisiana, parts of Tennessee and Missouri. Tornadoes are possible, according to the outlook.
“We are not expecting tornadoes or hail here tomorrow,” Simpson said. “But straight line winds are a definite possibility early in the day.”
It will remain windy the rest of the day on Wednesday with gusts of more than 40 mph — strong enough for scattered power outages — and more showers from time to time.
“There will actually be two cold fronts that move through tomorrow, one in the morning with the heavy rain, and another late afternoon that will bring the much colder air,” Simpson said. “So we’ll likely stay at 60 or slightly higher all night, still be around 60 at sunrise, then drop to about 50 if not the upper 40s for the evening commute. Then we’ll drop into the 30s by 8 or 9 p.m., and be below freezing around 11 p.m. or midnight.”
The first snowflakes could mix in with rain by mid-evening, but roads will stay just wet until midnight or so.
“We have to keep in mind that the warmth of today and tomorrow morning will have an impact keeping road temperatures above freezing for a good part of the night tomorrow night,” Simpson said.
Snow accumulations will be light – half an inch or less – but enough for potential problems. Winds will gradually subside Wednesday night as well.
The bulk of the snow showers should be gone by sunrise Thursday, but Simpson said he is not ruling out a stray flurry during the day.
An area of light snow will head toward the area for Thursday evening. Right now it appears it will slide through far southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky, so Butler, Warren and Hamilton counties could perhaps get an inch, but Dayton and Springfield may be right on the edge of that area of snow.
Friday looks to be quiet with some sun. Another batch of light snow arrives by Saturday morning and some sun returns for Sunday, when temperatures climb back above freezing with a high in the mid-30s.
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