Cleveland Tornados and Fall Preview

Today is an example of the difference a week can make as last week the area was baking under the hottest day of the year. Temperatures rose to 91 degrees last Friday and the humidity levels made it feel uncomfortable. That is all a distant memory as two cool fronts have left the region in a preview of fall.  There was a cost to transition as a tornadic thunderstorm tracked through the region on Wednesday ahead of the front and associated rain. Now not only have the temperatures cooled dramatically but clouds have been widespread since Wednesday. The cool below normal temperatures appear to persist for the next seven (7) to ten (10) days. The tropical Atlantic is more active with a system in the central Atlantic and disturbance moving into the Gulf of Mexico.

One tornadic thunderstorm produced four (4) tornado touchdowns as it moved through Northeast Ohio. The thunderstorm was low-top supercell that took advantage of the high amount of shear over the area. All four tornados were rated weak (F0) and produced minimal damage.

Currently the area is experiencing cool autumn like weather behind the cold front that moved through early Thursday. A large upper level trough will move slowly east across the region maintaining the cool air flowing freely out of Canada. High temperatures will stay in the 60’s for at least the next five (5) days with low temperatures around 50 degrees most nights. By Sunday the cloudy desk should start to break with sunny skies becoming common.

By Wednesday a large area of surface high pressure will be nearly over head.  Once it moves off to the east the area should enjoy much warmer conditions for next weekend. High temperatures by Wednesday should be around 70 degrees; five degrees below normal for this time of the year.

The tropical Atlantic has become more active recently. Tropical Storm Edouard is currently moving through the central Atlantic. It is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it eventually turns north and misses most land masses. A tropical disturbance is moving across southern Florida today.  Conditions in the Gulf of Mexico may become conducive for additional development as it moves westward. A new tropical wave has moved off the African coast and development of it is possible as it tracks across the Atlantic. 

First Week in September

A cool front moved through the area yesterday and brought drier but not cooler air to the region. Yesterday showers and a few scattered thunderstorms marked the arrival of the drier air. Today dew points have fallen to around 60 degrees but the air temperature has risen into the lower 80’s. Thursday will see temperatures surge and higher dew points return. Friday will be the hottest and most uncomfortable day as high temperatures make a run for 90 degrees across much of northern Ohio.  A cool front will move through late Friday setting the stage for a much more comfortable weekend.  One tropical disturbance did develop earlier this week into Tropical Storm Dolly. Another disturbance moving off Africa will be worth watching over the weekend.

Today the region is enjoying a warm and beautiful day under mostly sunny skies. High temperatures have risen into the lower 80’s but dew points are low enough to not be uncomfortable.

On Thursday warmer and much more humid air will surge back into the area. Some areas may reach 90 degrees if the cloud cover is thin enough.

Friday will be another warm and humid day with more areas possibly reaching 90 degrees.  A cold front approaching late in the day and will bring a threat of thunderstorms, some which may reach severe limits.

Saturday the cool front will pass and much cooler and drier air will return. There will be a chance for showers during the morning but they should clear out by the afternoon. High temperatures will be in the lower to middle 70’s.

 Looking ahead the cool temperatures will persist through the early half of next week with high temperatures rising a couple degrees each day starting with Monday. The next cool front does not appear to arrive until late in the week.

With Tropical Storm Dolly dissipating inland over Mexico the tropical Atlantic is mostly quiet.  A strong tropical wave will move off the African coast on Thursday and will bear watching for development over the weekend as it moves across the central Atlantic.