Lima, OH – West Central Ohio residents should prepare for a wet weekend as moisture from Hurricane Isaias, currently in the Gulf, is expected to bring widespread rain chances to the region starting Saturday night. WLIO's Chief Meteorologist Conner Prince reported Friday evening that while the work week concludes with favorable weather, the hurricane's northward path will significantly influence the upcoming days.
For Friday night, residents can expect dry conditions suitable for evening plans. Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy, with temperatures remaining mild, dipping only into the middle 50s.
The weather pattern shifts significantly on Saturday. The daytime hours are anticipated to remain dry, but it will be quite cloudy across the area. Temperatures will be warm, with highs climbing into the upper 70s. Winds are predicted to be a little breezy, sustained from the southeast at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts potentially reaching up to 25 mph.
The rain associated with Hurricane Isaias's moisture will begin Saturday night and continue through Sunday morning. During this period, breezy easterly winds are also likely, blowing 15 to 20 mph and possibly gusting up to 30 to 35 mph, according to Prince's forecast. However, it should be noted that "damaging winds are NOT expected for Lima." As Sunday progresses into the afternoon and evening, the rain is expected to transition and taper off to isolated to scattered showers. Winds will also relax, coming from the northwest at approximately 5 to 10 mph. Cooler temperatures are forecast for Sunday due to the rainfall, likely settling in the upper 60s to around 70 degrees.
Total rainfall amounts are expected to vary across the region, as detailed by WLIO. Northwestern Paulding and Defiance Counties could see just under 0.25 inches. Areas stretching from Celina and Grand Lake to Van Wert, western Allen County, Putnam, Henry, and the rest of Paulding and Defiance Counties are forecast to receive between 0.25 and 0.50 inches. Higher amounts, ranging from 0.50 to 0.75 inches, are anticipated along and east of a line connecting Wapakoneta, Lima, Pandora, and Gilboa. Furthermore, isolated higher totals are possible east of the US Route 68 corridor in Hardin, Logan, and Wyandot Counties. Despite the expected rainfall, WLIO's forecast indicates that flooding is not expected in the area.
Looking ahead to next week, drier weather is set to return on Monday, accompanied by warmer temperatures reaching close to 80 degrees. However, shower chances are expected to return Monday night into Tuesday. Additional opportunities for showers are possible for the middle to latter part of next week, though WLIO's Chief Meteorologist Conner Prince highlights a high uncertainty regarding the timing and specific amounts of precipitation for this period. Temperatures are also predicted to trend a little cooler by the second half of next week.
