Strong Storms a Risk for DC, Baltimore, Cincinnati

By Matt Alto, Meteorologist

September 27, 2012; 7:00AM,EDT

 

 

 

 

 

A zone of drenching showers and locally gusty thunderstorms from the mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley to the south-central Plains will once again impact millions of people today.
A broad and slow-moving frontal boundary strung out across these regions will continue to act as the focus for development of these showers and storms and will continue to produce rounds of showers and storms through the end of the workweek and into parts of the weekend.
Although a widespread outbreak of severe weather is not imminent, clusters of locally strong to severe thunderstorms will meander through portions of the southern Plains, Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic. A good portion of the storms will have the potential of bringing drenching downpours, locally gusty winds and hail.
In addition, those traveling in these regions today who encounter unsettled weather can anticipate slower travel on the roads and highways. Flight delays will be likely as well, especially at major hubs impacted by the storms.

Towns and communities from West Virginia to the Delmarva will have to be alert late this afternoon and evening for potentially gusty storms. With enough of a break in the clouds this morning and early afternoon, a few of the storms will be capable of producing gusty and potentially damaging winds.
Cities in this corridor most likely to be impacted by the rain and thunderstorms include Charleston and Washington, D.C., and Baltimore later this afternoon and evening.
Taking the trip westbound, areas of drenching showers and spotty thunderstorms will affect those living in or near Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, Springfield, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City.
Those living across southeastern Colorado, southwest Kansas and the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas appear to have the best chance for strong to severe storms this afternoon and evening.

The combination of a weak upper-atmospheric disturbance over the central Rockies, necessary atmospheric ingredients for strong storms and a weak influx of moisture from Miriam in the eastern Pacific will spark clusters of strong and severe thunderstorms this afternoon.
Many of these storms will be capable of producing strong and damaging winds as well as large hail. Locations which may be impacted include Amarillo and Lubbock.
Tropical moisture from Miriam in the eastern Pacific will continue to increase the next several days and will bring many parts of Texas drenching rainfall into the weekend.