Summary
The precipitation pendulum has swung back the other direction for many across the state in July. Figure 1 shows that much of western and central Ohio have picked up more than 150% of normal precipitation, with multiple rounds of showers and storms. CoCoRaHS observations for the month show rainfall totals in the 8–10-inch range for Delaware, Licking, and Franklin Counties in central Ohio. This wet pattern has been accompanied by temperatures running near average for most of Ohio, and 1-3°F above average for counties in the southwest and northeast. The seesaw nature of this year’s growing season has left highly variable crop conditions, though much of the stress from dry weather in June has been alleviated. For the latest up-to-date conditions, seasonal outlooks, and monthly climate summaries, please visit the State Climate Office of Ohio.
Forecast
A front that dropped south of the region on Monday, will edge back northward near the Ohio river on Tuesday and meander there through Thursday. Multiple disturbances will ride eastward along this front, bringing numerous rounds of showers and storms across the state. Most of the activity will be focused south of about I-70, though northern Ohio will not be rainfree. Temperatures will be kept in check, with highs in the 70s expected on Tuesday, and upper 70s to low 80s on Wednesday and Thursday. Dry, tranquil weather will return for Friday through the weekend, with low humidity and mild temperatures. The Weather Prediction Center is forecasting 1.0-3.0 inches of rain for southern counties, tapering to less than 0.5 inch across the north, primarily over the next 3 days (Figure 2).
After this week’s near normal temperatures, the Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10-day outlook for the period of July 31 – August 4, 2022 and the 16-Day Rainfall Outlook from NOAA/NWS/Ohio River Forecast Center show above average temperatures and near average precipitation are expected (Figure 3). Climate averages have reached their annual peak including a high-temperature range of 83-87°F, a low-temperature range of 62-66°F, and average weekly total precipitation of 0.75-0.90 inches.