Ohio Valley – Tuesday afternoon could turn dangerous as a powerful cold front ignites severe thunderstorms from Kentucky into Pennsylvania. Storms are expected to strengthen quickly during the afternoon before sweeping east through the evening, bringing the risk of damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes.
According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to develop Tuesday afternoon and evening from northeastern Kentucky through West Virginia, Ohio and into western and central Pennsylvania. The greatest threats include damaging wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph, large hail, and a tornado or two as the cold front advances across the region.
Communities including Lexington, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Parkersburg, Columbus, Wheeling, Pittsburgh, Erie, and surrounding areas should closely monitor changing weather conditions through the afternoon and evening. Storms may organize into fast-moving lines capable of producing widespread wind damage while isolated supercells could generate large hail and brief tornadoes.
Travel could become hazardous on Interstates 64, 68, 70, 71, 76, 77, 79 and 80, where torrential rain, sudden wind gusts and hail may rapidly reduce visibility. Drivers should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions during the evening commute and delay travel if warnings are issued.
Residents should secure loose outdoor objects, charge electronic devices in case of scattered power outages, and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. The severe weather threat will shift east Tuesday night as the cold front continues toward the Mid-Atlantic.
Additional Severe Thunderstorm Watches or Tornado Watches may be issued Tuesday as confidence increases in storm development. Stay alert and be ready to act quickly if warnings are issued for your area.
