Easter Weekend Flood Risk

Good Friday’s damp and dreary conditions are a preview of coming attractions this Easter weekend as rounds of showery rains and thunderstorms parade across the region.

Before the weekend is through, the mighty Ohio will once again be rising toward flood stage in spots, some egg hunts will be muddy under foot and at the same time, ladies sporting their new bonnets will enjoy some early summer warmth.

First things first as our focus for waterlogged weather will concentrate on Southern Ohio and Central WV where a Flash Flood Watch has been posted.

If you draw a line from City Park in Vanceburg Ky to the home of the Redmen in Rio Grande Oh to Point Park in Parkersburg then expand that line to encompass a box 50 miles either side, you will define the region most likely to see high water. This region is likely to see 2”-3” of rain this weekend.

Now Friday night's rains did cause some minor problems with water on roads in Ohio near Pedro along Route 93 and near Vinton in Gallia County along route 160. In Greenup Kentucky, Route 2 took on some water while the same occured in Ripley WV just off I-77. So these areas start wetter than others heading into the weekend and therefore have a better chance of high water.

Farther south and east, the shower and thunder pattern likely won’t have the same staying power, so water levels on streams are less likely to be topped.

In fact, after morning thunder moves away, a good part of Saturday looks to be rain free with a hazy and warm spring atmosphere. That's especially the case in Charleston where the Governor's Cup will feature scullers on the Kanawha.

But by Saturday evening, showers and thunderstorms will be redeveloping so any tropical downpour can back up the storm sewers and culverts. Localized street flooding and power hits from a lightning bolts can occur anywhere, anytime at night.

Event-wise, lots of egg hunts are counting on a break in the rain. Here's a partial list from our weekend-ahead file.

Nitro City Park 1PM
Magic Island, Charleston 11A-2P
Coal Grove OH
Lawrence County Oh Fairgrounds (5,000 eggs!)
Bonneyfiddle, Portsmouth 11A-2P
Boyd Co Library (1,000 eggs)

College football spring games are slated for Huntington (Green & White), Columbus (Scarlet & Grey) and Lexington (Blue & White). Since timing a downpour can’t be done with precision until individual cells form (and are track-able on radar), I suggest you enjoy your tailgate and the game but be prepared to cover up if an ill-timed squall swoips in.

Here’s your best tool to short term forecast rain as it may pertain to your weekend events.

http://www.wsaz.com/interactiveradar

By Easter Sunday, the air will turn very warm and sticky with enough milky sun to boost highs into the low 80s in many areas. As for hit and run thunderstorms, time will tell who gets hit and who misses!