We've got a wacky and complex weather situation on our hands today, the end result of which will be a lot of rain this afternoon followed by more rain and possibly a thunderstorm this evening.
The same storm system that spawned tornadoes, killed three people and caused widespread damage along the Gulf Coast yesterday is strengthening and moving up the Ohio Valley today. That storm will shoot a warm front our way this afternoon. As that front draws closer it is going to have to run up over a shallow, saturated inversion layer that is hugging the lowest couple thousand feet of the atmosphere. That combination will make for a foggy, rainy day, but the temperature should warm to the lower 50s this afternoon.
Later this evening a third character, a low-level jet with some really strong winds, will make its presence known. That boost of energy could be sufficient to produce showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain, potentially damaging winds and hail. One potential spoiler is whether or not cool marine air will get in that mix. Too much marine air and the thunderstormy type stuff will get shut down. Look for the temperature to rise into the mid 50s overnight.
A cold front trailing the storm will pass through the region early tomorrow morning, mostly putting an end to the rain but there might be a few straggler showers to contend with before noon. The temperature will hold steady near 50 for much of Thursday but another cold front in the evening will bring cool, dry air for Friday and Saturday when the highs will only reach the lower 40s.
