Cincinnati Weather Update: Severe Storm Threat, Heat Index Spikes & Hour-by-Hour Forecast

CINCINNATI—Thunder rumbles through the Queen City this morning as a slow-moving cold front squeezes out scattered storms, drenching downtown and the I-275 loop with pockets of heavy rain. The National Weather Service has kept the Tri-State under a marginal risk for severe weather, mainly for localized flash flooding and 40-mph wind gusts. Temperatures plateau near 80 °F this afternoon, but the steamy feel sticks around thanks to dew points in the upper 60s. Break in the humidity arrives overnight. Behind the front, a refreshing north-northeast breeze ushers in drier air, dropping lows to a comfortable 59 °F in the suburbs. Friday features chamber-of-commerce weather—wall-to-wall sunshine, highs in the mid-70s and crisp evening baseball for the Reds’ homestand. Weekend outlook • Saturday: Morning sun fades behind a few fair-weather clouds; high 78 °F. Outdoor plans at Findlay Market or Kings Island get a green light. • Sunday: A touch warmer at 81 °F with light east winds. Spotty late-day shower possible east of the city as Gulf moisture tries to sneak back. • Monday–Wednesday: Gradual warming trend; highs step from 79 °F Monday to 83 °F Wednesday. Humidity ticks up but stays below oppressive levels. • Thursday: First taste of August heat—86 °F and muggier air could spark an afternoon pop-up storm. What to watch Flood-prone spots like Columbia-Tusculum, Riverside Drive and sections of Fort Washington Way may see standing water today; use alternate routes during downpours. Boaters on the Ohio River should expect swift currents and floating debris through Friday morning. The city’s cooling centers, including the Public Library’s main branch, open at noon for residents without reliable A/C. Air quality & allergens The soaking rain scrubs ozone and pollen, keeping the Air Quality Index in the “Good” range through Saturday. Ragweed counts, however, climb early next week as grasses dry out, so allergy sufferers should have meds ready. Climate snapshot July finishes roughly 1 °F cooler than average in Cincinnati, but the metro has already logged six days above 90 °F this summer—on pace with the 30-year norm. Long-range models hint at a hotter second half of August, so today’s crisp nights may be short-lived. Tips for the week ahead • Check gutters and street drains now; leaves knocked down by storms can clog runoff and exacerbate flash-flooding. • Friday’s low humidity offers a prime window for exterior painting or driveway sealing before sticky air returns. • Hydrate and wear light colors if you’re headed to UC’s football open practice Saturday afternoon; UV index peaks near 9. • Campers at Hueston Woods should secure tents Sunday night—southerly winds gust 20 mph by dawn Monday. Bottom line: Cincinnati’s weather roller coaster delivers a stormy Thursday, a picture-perfect Friday and a slow climb back to summer warmth next week. Keep the umbrella handy today, then swap it for sunglasses tomorrow as the Ohio Valley enjoys a brief but welcome break from oppressive humidity.