First Alert Monday and Wednesday

Monday has already turned out to be on of the warmest feeling days of 2016 so far. Highs have reached the low to mid 90's. The atmosphere is set for scattered thunderstorms late Monday afternoon and evening. Some of these may be strong to severe with gusty winds, heavy downpours and hail. 

Once the storms tonight pass our attention will quickly turn to Wednesday, specifically Wednesday night. A complex of thunderstorms is expected to develop near Chicago Wednesday evening and track in our general direction. The exact track is TBD but many forecast models show our area potentially impacted by storms with strong winds and heavy rains.

Stay tuned to our future forecasts for more updates!

Strong & Severe Storm Threat Ahead

FIRST ALERT Day on Wednesday for the threat of strong or severe storms.  Our area remains under an "Enhanced" risk of strong or severe storms. 

Severe Risk -- Enhanced for NW Ohio and lower Michigan

It is possible that two rounds of strong or severe storms may be possible Wednesday.  

Alert Day Headlines

The first round is possible around midday as a warm front surges north across the area.  Threats of frequent lightning, gusty winds and hail would be possible. 

Hour By Hour -- Noon Wednesday

 As the warm front clears, the atmosphere may destabilize enough for round two which would be possible late in the day toward the evening.  

Hour By Hour -- 5 PM Wednesday

Hour By Hour -- 7 PM Wednesday

Storm threats will continue to include frequent lightning, gusty winds and hail. Stay tuned to updates and the WTOL First Alert Weather App!

~Meteorologist Chris Vickers

Saturday's Summer Sizzle

Saturday more than lived up to the hype for the hot and humid weather.  Highs soared close to record high territory reaching into the middle 90s!

Highs Saturday -- June 11th

A cold front will pack relief with much cooler and less humid weather.  Expect this cold front to arrive overnight with an instant improvement by Sunday morning

Cold Front Tonight

Highs on Sunday will be perfect!  Temperatures will be in the upper 70s with the cooler and much less humid feel!

Highs Sunday

~Meteorologist Chris Vickers

Stormy Saturday, but how Severe?

We know a couple of things for certain for tomorrow, its going to be hot (low 90s) and its going to be humid (very humid). The more complicated questions are, when are the storms coming and how strong will they be?

Our forecast for this First Alert Day is that storms are more likely beginning early afternoon into late evening. 3:00 - 8:00 PM is the window for the possible stronger storms. However, showers could start developing as early at lunch time. These storms will be scattered, not causing a complete wash out for your Saturday. The most likely threats include lightning, small hail and strong wind in areas of thunderstorms.

All of this comes down to timing and you can track these storms with us.

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But what can you expect for tomorrow? 

 Very Humid:

Very Warm:

Front Brings Showers/Storms:

Will all of your Saturday plans being ruined?

Not likely. It will be hot and sticky but those scattered afternoon storms and showers will be just that, scattered, not a complete wash out. So stay weather aware with our app, and we'll keep you most up to date with what you need to know.

-Ellyn Fritz

Heat Returns Saturday, Does It Last?

It almost never fails. Just in time for all the graduation parties, outdoor weddings and festivals the weather turns HOT! That is the case for Saturday.

For the past 7 days the First Alert Weather team has been forecasting this warm-up. The question is: Is this it? Do we simply dive into the summer heat and never look back, or is this a quick warm-up?

You can always check our latest forecast here :First Alert 7-day Forecast

And download the First Alert Weather App: iPhone: bit.ly/1tEoHlD Android: bit.ly/1zua7Ag

Before we talk about where we are going, let's see where we are now: 

There is a ridge of high pressure developing in the central plains this weekend. This allows hot and humid air to spill into NW OH/SE MI. It also puts us on the edge of a stormy pattern. Although more widespread storms with this set-up are most likely into Ontario.

By next week the ridge has really broken down. Major heat is shoved into the southern states.

 Taking long range forecast models into account, they show some heat possibly returning near the last week of this month. But the pattern would also favor fast moving storm systems. This would be something to watch as strong/severe weather can be hard to forecast far in advance with this pattern. Often just a day or two notice is possible.

So are we stuck in a hot/humid summer pattern? Not by a long shot. The atmosphere is changing almost on a few day basis. This is a pattern where many will have A/C running for a couple of days and then open the windows for the next few. More up's and down's than steady heat or chill. 

-Ryan Wichman

FIRST ALERT: Hot & Humid -- Severe Storm Potential

Our next FIRST ALERT Day is Saturday. Enjoy the comfortable weather today, highs will be in the middle 70s.  A warm front sweeps into the area tomorrow and will bring a much warmer and humid feel by late Friday.  A few isolated thunderstorms possible on Friday as the warm front arrives.

Hour By Hour -- 3 PM Friday

The door to warm and muggy weather swings open into Saturday.  Highs will be in the low 90s with a muggy, mid summer feel.

Hot & Humid Saturday

 Our ALERT DAY headlines highlight the hot and muggy weather which may fuel the threat of strong or severe afternoon thunderstorms on Saturday.  Some storms may have gusty, damaging winds and large hail.  Best chance of storms would be after 3 PM on Saturday. 

First Alert Day -- SATURDAY

 It turns much cooler on Sunday with highs back into the middle 70s along with dry weather.  Sunday is clearly the pick day of the weekend!

Hot & Muggy Saturday -- Cooler & Pleasant Sunday

~Meteorologist Chris Vickers

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How Did A "Wet" Spring Turn So Dry?

So long Spring, we are into the summer month of June!  How could it be that it feels so dry after a "wet" spring?  Our spring ended slightly above average (+1.29") for a total of 10.54" of precipitation.  However, the bulk of that came in March and April.  That included This Heavy & Wet April Snow.  The past month of May turned quite dry.  The month ended -2.14" Below Average for a total of 1.44" of rain.  Furthermore, the last two weeks of May barely scratched out 1/10" of an inch of total rainfall!

Rainfall Stats

 A chance of a few scattered showers and thundershowers will be possible after 5 PM.  This will only be a *CHANCE* of rain, leaving some spots in the dust.  

Hour By Hour Rainfall -- 1/4" or less

 The chance of showers and storms will be 5 PM to 11 PM tonight.

Chance Of Showers & Storms

~Meteorologist Chris Vickers

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