Area rain-free; storms approaching Friday

The region is rain-free for now, Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist Jamie Simpson said.

"But showers and storms in western Indiana will creep towards us overnight. While they will weaken, we could see a few light showers return toward sunrise," Simpson said. "We also may have some patchy fog overnight despite mostly cloudy skies."

Thunderstorms produced 2 inches of rain in Butler, Clinton, Greene, Montgomery, Preble and Warren counties in Ohio; and Wayne and Union counties in Indiana. The storm prompted numerous flood advisories, and flash flood warnings and alerts. A flood watch for the eight-county warning area was canceled at 9 p.m., two hours ahead of schedule, by the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

There is still a flood warning for the Mississinawa River in Randolph County, Ind., where significant flooding has been taking place. The warning may be in effect until Saturday, Simpson said.

On Friday, the day starts dry, but more showers and thunderstorms return by midday and continue at times until the evening, Simpson said. Temperatures will climb into the lower 80s with showers and thunderstorms ending in the evening.

"Moisture will be abundant again, so more heavy rain is expected. With saturated ground, and streams and creeks running high, it won't take much to get more flooding," he said.

Also, a few storms could strengthen enough to warrant a few more severe thunderstorm warnings again with wind the primary threat, Simpson said.

"If there is any good news it is that storms should be more progressive, so I do not anticipate we'll see really slow-movers that sit over the same area for a few hours like we have the last two days."

The weekend is expected to be dry, with more storms back Monday night into Tuesday of next week. The dry stretch "will allow us to hit the 'reset' button in regard to flooding," Simpson said.

On Saturday, it will be cloudy but should stay dry for most. Temperatures will start in the mid-60s and climb to the lower 80s in the afternoon.

On Sunday, there will be more sun and a slight drop in humidity. Skies will be partly cloudy with morning lows in the lower 60s and afternoon highs in the low to mid-80s.

On Monday, a late shower is possible, but it will be dry overall with sun and clouds. Temperatures will start in the mid-60s and rise to the mid-80s in the afternoon.

On Tuesday, showers and thunderstorms are expected to return with highs in the mid-80s.

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