Cincinnati, OH – Residents across the Ohio Valley should prepare for a wet and stormy start to the week, with multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms forecast from Monday through Wednesday night.
According to the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, OH, rain chances today (Monday, Sept. 22) are near certainty for much of the region, with probabilities ranging from 90–100% in cities such as Cincinnati, Dayton, and Brookville. The strongest storms are expected Monday afternoon and evening, when gusty winds and heavy downpours could impact travel.
The forecast also calls for significant rainfall totals over the next 48 hours. Meteorologists predict 2–3 inches of rain across most of the Ohio Valley, including Columbus, Richmond, Chillicothe, Portsmouth, and Maysville, KY. Locally higher amounts are possible in areas that see repeated thunderstorms.
The unsettled pattern is expected to continue through midweek. Another surge of moisture is forecast Wednesday night, which could add to already saturated ground and raise concerns for localized flooding in low-lying areas.
Drivers should allow extra time on commutes as heavy rain may cause ponding on roads, particularly during the evening rush hours. Those living near creeks and streams are advised to monitor water levels closely through Wednesday.
The NWS emphasized that while most storms will be garden-variety showers and thunderstorms, a few could reach strong levels with damaging winds. Residents are urged to stay weather-aware, keep cell phones charged, and follow alerts issued by local authorities.
