NE Ohio to see strong to severe storms Wednesday: See the latest timing

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Multiple rounds of thunderstorms will be possible Wednesday in Northeast Ohio ahead of a cold front that is expected to move in from the west.

The first round of storms will be isolated in nature and will move east-northeast into the region by the early afternoon.

“Our atmosphere is very juicy with a tropical-like airmass and rich moisture content,” forecasters with the National Weather Service in Cleveland wrote in a morning forecast discussion.

A muggy start to Wednesday — with dew points around 70 degrees — will set the stage for thunderstorms. Expect heavy rain in spots, though this round of storms should stay below severe levels.

Temperatures will warm up into the 80s, which also could contribute to thunderstorm development.

A greater concern for potential severe weather will then shift to the evening hours. A broken line of thunderstorms is expected to develop over the western Ohio Valley Wednesday afternoon and then race across the state at 50 to 60 mph.

The storms are expected to impact Northwest Ohio between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and then North Central and Northeast Ohio between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., forecasters said.

While the storms are expected to weaken as they move across the state, they’re likely to still pack a punch. The primary threat will be damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours.

A pop-up tornado and one-inch hail can’t be ruled out, especially closer to Northwest Ohio.

As a result, the Storm Prediction Center has placed the eastern two-thirds of Ohio, including Cleveland, under a Level 2 out of 5 “slight risk” for severe weather. The western third is under a Level 2 “enhanced risk.”

For Juneteenth on Thursday, leftover clouds and a few showers or thunderstorms could linger in Northeast Ohio before sunshine breaks out by afternoon. Temperatures will be cooler, holding in the low to mid 70s.

Big warmup starting this weekend

Just in time for the first day of summer, Northeast Ohio is in for a big warmup this weekend as a large dome of heat builds over the eastern U.S., drawing warm, moist air into the region from the Gulf of Mexico.

High temperatures on Friday will be closer to normal as they rise into the upper 70s to lower 80s, with lows in the mid to upper 60s.

The heat becomes established in the region by Saturday as highs rise into the mid to upper 80s.

Sunday is expected to be even warmer, with Cleveland likely to hit 90 degrees for the first time this year. Those highs in the 90s are forecast to stick around through Tuesday.

Combined with dew points in the upper 60s to low 70s, it’ll feel even hotter, with heat indices nearing 100 degrees each day. That could lead to heat advisories being issued, forecasters said.

Overnight low temperatures from Saturday through Tuesday will provide little relief, as well. On Saturday, they could dip down into the upper 60s, but then will only dip down into the mid 70s on other nights.

Forecasters caution the warm temperatures will bring an extreme risk for heat-related illnesses. Residents are advised to prepare for the heat by staying hydrated, wearing lighter clothing and checking on vulnerable populations like elderly neighbors and those without air conditioning.