Columbus, Ohio – A soggy weekend is in store for much of the northern Ohio River Valley, where up to 2 inches of rain may trigger flash flooding through Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service’s Ohio River Forecast Center, a slow-moving frontal boundary is pushing into the northern basin, generating organized showers and thunderstorms across Ohio, northern Indiana, and western Pennsylvania. The 48-hour precipitation outlook shows widespread totals between 1 and 2 inches north of the Ohio River, with isolated higher amounts.
Heavier pockets of rainfall are expected in cities like Cleveland, Akron, and Toledo, where localized flash flooding may impact roadways and low-lying areas. Scattered showers will extend into southern Ohio and western West Virginia, but rainfall amounts should be lighter. Meanwhile, rivers across the region are forecast to remain in-bank—except for lingering high water concerns along the Wabash River in southern Illinois and Indiana.
Drivers should stay alert for flooded roads and avoid travel in severe storms. Emergency managers recommend charging devices, monitoring NOAA alerts, and preparing for rapid water rises in flood-prone zones.
The heaviest rainfall is expected to taper by early Sunday, but additional storm systems could develop later next week.
