Spring is a season of ups-and-downs in the Ohio Valley and this year is no exception. We’ve seen everything from severe storms to snow showers and highs in the 30s to highs in the 80s. As we flip the calendar to April, it looks like we’ll see precisely this going forward. Finishing up the last full work week of March, however, things look soggy.
Dodging Showers: Friday and Friday Night
As we wake up on our Friday morning, we’ll be looking not to the west, but to the north at showers starting to sneak into the region. That’s all thanks to our latest front that swept yesterday’s 80s out of here in a hurry.
These showers and rumbles of thunder are what’s left of some wind and hail producers from across the midwest from Thursday evening and Thursday night. They formed along a cold front that will take its sweet time trying to push through the region during the day today.
For us, it means we’ll likely be stuck with off and on showers throughout the day as cooler air filters in from the north. By the time many of you read this, we’ll have already hit our mid 60s high for the day in the morning hours. We’ll slowly stabilize into the middle 50s as we head through the afternoon hours.
Clouds hang tough through the evening, but diminish along with rain chances as we head into the overnight hours. Clearing skies combining with light northeasterly breezes will have lows falling back into the middle and upper 30s. That is, believe it or not, slightly below average!
A Weekend to Enjoy: Saturday and Sunday
Now, saying our past couple of weekends haven’t been nice wouldn’t be fair, since in both instances, we’ve been able to keep showers and storms at bay until after dark on Sunday. But…what if I told you we’d be able to keep the entire weekend completely dry?
Give thanks to our good friend high pressure! The big blue H will be settling into the Ohio Valley from the north, bringing us sinking air, cooler temperatures and plenty of sunshine! Hey, we’ve earned it!
With high pressure settling in from the north, we should enjoy temperatures much closer to average during the afternoon, topping out in the middle to upper 50s. Not too cold, but a touch on the chilly side.
As we head through the evening, thanks to the high pressure and dry air in place, we’ll likely see temperatures fall nicely into the evening, through the 50s and into the 40s as the sun sets. Overnight lows under clear skies and calm winds should be back into the upper 30s to near 40º or so.
More of the same, if not slightly better as we head into Sunday!
High pressure is still in control, but starting to slide slightly further east. That should keep the sunshine out to finish up the weekend, but raise those temperatures just a little bit. With highs closer to the upper 60s to lower 70s thanks to that pleasant light southerly wind in place. An absolutely gorgeous finish to a beautiful weekend! We are issuing an official “Get Out and Enjoy It Warning” for Sunday afternoon because it’s spring in the Ohio Valley…it can’t last long.
Clouds start to sneak back in Sunday night thanks to the increase in warmth and moisture from our southerly flow. We’ll fall back into the upper 40s to near 50º for overnight lows as we head past dark.
A More Active Pattern Sneaks In: Towards April
Well, it’s getting to be April in the Ohio Valley, of course a time known for its calm and tranquil weather.
Just in time, a more active pattern looks to settle into the region as we finish up March and start the month of April. That starts first with the opportunity at warmer air coming our way, even as soon as early in the week.
This warmer air settles in for the first half of the week, driving highs up into the 70s and 80s during the daytime hours for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. However, the pattern looks to grow unsettled with multiple chances for scattered showers and storms roaming the region at times as we head through next week. There’s no overwhelming big storm signal for the region at this point, but it’s something we’re going to watch.
That’s it for me for now! You can always keep up with the latest on all of our social media platforms. Have a tremendous day and a great weekend!