Jennifer Edwards Baker reports:
Make sure to put on the sunscreen today.
The mercury will soar to 83 degrees, just shy of the record high of 87 on this date in 1896, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
Current temperatures are already very warm this morning. It’s 63 in downtown Cincinnati. Later, we could see rain and thunderstorms around 5 p.m. Winds will gust 30 to 40 mph as a strong cold front comes in.
Overnight, there is a slight risk of severe weather. The main threats will be winds that could whip more than 60 mph and quarter-size hail, said meteorologist Scott Hickman.
Tornadoes cannot be ruled out from developing between midnight and 4 a.m.
Motorists, especially those driving vehicles that sit up high, should be prepared for strong cross winds on east-to-west oriented roads, the weather service warns. Loose outdoor items may be blown about by stronger wind gusts, so be sure to secure items such as garbage cans and table umbrellas.
Heavy rain could slow the morning commute Friday. Pockets of flooding could occur on area roads and creeks.
Temperatures will drop like a rock with this cold front. Friday’s high will struggle to reach 49, and the overnight low will plunge to 35.
Patchy frost could develop before 8 a.m. Saturday. It will be mostly sunny the rest of the day with a high around 57.
