Columbus, OH – A wetter pattern is taking shape across the Ohio Valley this week, with several opportunities for rain expected to develop across the region through next Friday, according to the National Weather Service Ohio River Forecast Center.
According to the NWS, a series of disturbances will move through the Ohio River and Lake Erie drainage basins over the next seven days, bringing multiple rounds of rainfall. Forecasters say the highest totals—possibly exceeding 3 inches—are expected in the western portions of the basin, an area that includes parts of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.
The updated 7-day precipitation outlook, issued Friday morning, shows widespread wet conditions returning after a recent stretch of normal to below-normal streamflow values. Hydrologists noted that while confidence remains low at this stage, the upcoming rainfall may introduce a 10% probability of river rises across several Ohio Valley waterways as the pattern evolves.
Forecasters stress that any river impacts will depend heavily on how individual storm systems track next week. A shift in either direction could dramatically affect which communities see heavier or lighter rainfall totals. Additional model updates are expected over the weekend.
Residents across the Ohio Valley are encouraged to monitor forecasts closely, especially those living near rivers, creeks, and flood-prone rural lowlands. More details on potential river-level changes are expected early next week as confidence increases.
For the latest hydrologic updates, visit the National Weather Service Ohio River Forecast Center at weather.gov/ohrfc.
