By Matt Alto, Meteorologist
Mar 30, 2012; 4:10 AM ET
Locally severe thunderstorms will affect the Ohio Valley today into this evening.
As of the morning rush hour, the storms have only produced a few instances of pea-sized hail. However, the storms will turn more violent moving into the Ohio Valley as the day progresses.
The thunderstorms will strengthen this afternoon along the cold front as it slices into building warmth and surging moist air.
The storms will eventually morph into a squall line that will progress northwest to southeast throughout the afternoon and into the first half of the night.
Locations from Indiana and western Kentucky eastward into Ohio and portions of West Virginia will be at the greatest risk for severe storms today. This includes the cities of Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati and Columbus.
A few strong storms will skirt southern lower Michigan, southwestern Ontario and the Erie lake shore area.
With very cold air aloft, the primary threat with the strongest storms will be large hail the size of golf balls or greater.
Damaging wind gusts greater than 60 mph will also be possible as gusty winds aloft are transported to the ground in some of the storms. These gusts would be enough to bring down tree limbs and cause brief and spotty power outages.
Although a few isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled-out, the overall tornado threat looks to be rather minimal.
As is the case with all thunderstorms, lightning can strike without warning. When you hear thunder, seek shelter indoors. If you cannot get to your home, business or store, remain in your vehicle.
These storms will also cause hazardous driving conditions on the interstates across the region, including Interstates 65, 70, 71 and 75. Motorists are likely to encounter brief periods of heavy, blinding rain.
Rather stormy weather may be in store for the afternoon rush around Dayton, Cincinnati and Louisville.
The threat for strong storms will continue even after the sun sets this afternoon as the storm system races towards the mid-Atlantic.
Locations from southwestern Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, northern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky are be in line for the potential for severe storms after dark. This includes the cities of Pittsburgh, Charleston and London.
The threat for damaging storms will diminish throughout the course of the night as the storms approach the Appalachians. Meanwhile on the northern fringe of this system, wintry precipitation will fall across parts of upstate New York and southern New England.
Check back with AccuWeather.com throughout the day for the latest on the severe weather threatening the Ohio Valley.
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