WEATHER UPDATES: Heavy rain, gusty winds and small hail possible with afternoon storms
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CLEVELAND — It's been quiet the last few days, but storms are pushing back into Northeast Ohio from the southwest today. Some of those storms this afternoon and evening could be severe with wind gusts near 60 mph as the main threat. But a moist and unstable atmosphere will also lead to pockets of heavy rain that will fall in some of the stronger cells that could lead to some flooding.
Warnings and Watches
NWS
NWS map showing the area under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Cuyahoga, Summit and Medina counties effective until 7:30 p.m.
Locations impacted include: Akron, Medina, Parma, Cuyahoga Falls, Strongsville, Brunswick, North Royalton, Solon, Hudson, Twinsburg, Streetsboro, Macedonia, Stow, Maple Heights, Broadview Heights, Aurora, Brecksville, Bedford, Seven Hills and Bedford Heights.
The National Weather Service had issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Ashland, Lorain, Huron and Richland counties that was effective until 5:45 p.m.
At 3:43 p.m., severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Lorain to near North Ridgeville to North Royalton, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Hazards include 60 mph wind gusts, expected to damage trees and power lines, according to the NWS.
The National Weather Service earlier issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lorain, Medina, Ashland and Wayne counties until 3:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m. Wednesday for most of Northeast Ohio. The watch does not include Tuscarawas and Carroll counties.
The main threat under the watch is damaging wind gusts near 60 mph. Heavy rain could lead to some flooding.
News 5 Cleveland.
Power outages Thousands were left without power as a result of the storms on Wednesday.
In Cuyahoga County, nearly 6,000 customers are without power, most of whom reside in Euclid or Cleveland. Restoration is expected between 10 p.m and 11:30 p.m. across the county.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for Seneca County until 3:30 pm. This is in effect until 3:30 pm for 70 mph winds and 1'' hail. #CLE#News5#NEOhiopic.twitter.com/JfO4fHjNSw
SEVERE T-STORM WARNING has been issued for Stark, Summit, Wayne and Holmes Counties until 2:45 pm. The storm is moving east at 25 mph. Main hazards are 60 mph winds and 1'' hail. Minor damage to cars, trees and power lines are possible. #CLE#News5#NEOhiopic.twitter.com/ZfYqTl9KeZ
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH has been issued for nearly our entire viewing area and all of northern Ohio. This will remain in effect until 9 pm this evening. Expect more storms to develop over the next few hours. #CLE#News5#NEOhiopic.twitter.com/VmjkxscqgW
HEADS UP, WOOSTER! A strong storm is moving your way from the west. Expect heavy rain, lightning, gusty winds and small hail! #Cle#News5pic.twitter.com/rJ9DCdCS9D
Impacts Hail is not expected to be really large but could be up to around quarter size (around 1"). Stay alert today and have a plan in place to get inside quickly if severe storms approach your area.
Remeisha Shade | News 5 Cleveland.
Our severe storm threat today is a Category 2 out of 5 from the Storm Prediction Center for the northern two-thirds of the area, including Cleveland, Akron and Canton. The southern part of Northeast Ohio is in a lower Category 1 Marginal Risk for severe weather. This includes New Philadelphia and Dover.
Remeisha Shade | News 5 Cleveland.
Storms will roll in from the southwest and increase in intensity and coverage through the day, possibly impacting your outdoor plans.
The main timing for the biggest severe storm threat will be from around 2-8 p.m.
New changes coming to weather warnings With the threat for severe storms in NE Ohio today, it's a great time to point out some interesting and new changes on the way that will provide you with even more warning to keep you safe and prepared when severe storms strike.
I'm sure you are familiar with a general "Severe Thunderstorm Warning". This is issued when wind gusts in a storm are expected to be 58 mph or greater or hail is expected to be around an inch (Quarter Size).
But beginning on July 28, The National Weather Service will implement a new "Enhanced Severe Thunderstorm Warning" with two new Damage Threat Categories.
The first new Category is a "Considerable" Damage Tag when a severe storm is expected to have 70+ mph winds and/or at least 1.75" hail (golf ball size).
The most severe new Damage Tag would be "Destructive," which would be issued when a severe storm is capable of 80+ mph winds and/or 2.75" hail or larger (baseball size).
If the "Destructive" Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued, this will activate a wireless emergency alert to your mobile device through FEMA's IPAWS, or Integrated Public Alert Warning System. These are just a few extra steps that will be taken to make sure you are prepared and alerted for what's coming.
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