Severe Thunderstorms with 70 mph Winds and Tornado Risk in Northeast Ohio
• Northeast Ohio is under an 'enhanced' Level 3 risk for severe thunderstorms on Saturday, July 18,
• The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Strong storms are expected to bring damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, a 5% probability of tornadoes within 25 miles of any point, and quarter-sized hail. The storms will move from northwest to southeast, with the main window for severe weather between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. A warm front is contributing to the unstable atmosphere, with temperatures reaching the upper 80s to lower 90s and heat index values climbing into the 90s.
Impact & Risks
The primary threat is damaging winds, which could bring down trees and power lines, causing scattered power outages. There is also a secondary risk of tornadoes and hail, with hailstones potentially reaching 1 inch in diameter. Urban areas and poor-drainage locations may experience minor flooding due to torrential rainfall. Lake Erie is under small craft advisories and beach hazard statements, with waves reaching up to 5 feet and a high risk of rip currents.
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