The chilly, dry weather is looking to warm up some but get a little less dry, with rain on the way for Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky on Wednesday.
National Weather Service forecasters expect the weather to warm up throughout the day on Wednesday. It’s expected to reach a high near 55 after the freeze warning blanketing much of the region expires in the morning.
By Wednesday evening, some light showers are possible, with thunderstorms and rain becoming more likely as the night continues. Only between a tenth to a quarter of an inch of rainfall is expected, meaning additional flooding concerns like with last week’s storms are not on the horizon.
Still, several riverfront communities across the region are waiting for flood waters to fully recede.
The Ohio River at Cincinnati dropped back below 60 feet Tuesday night, according to weather officials. It’s expected to drop another five feet throughout the day Wednesday, lowering to 53 feet by Thursday morning. Relief to other rivers that feed off the Ohio River, like the Little Miami River, will follow.
Recovery effort continues as flood waters recede
Officials in Hamilton, Kenton and Campbell counties declared local states of emergency Tuesday, freeing up additional resources to aid in the recovery effort.
As residents begin to clean up after the storms, officials are reminding the public to take proper precautions:
Wash hands frequently when working in contaminated areas or cleaning affected items and wear rubber boots and gloves during clean-up.
Do not allow children to play in areas contaminated by flood waters or sewage backup.
Open windows and increase ventilation by using fans to increase air circulation and speedup drying.
Discard food exposed to flood waters, including items in refrigerators or freezers that havetaken in water.
Discard all fully thawed foods as well as partially thawed foods that won’tbe immediately prepared. Discard milk, cheeses, and bulging or leaking canned food.
Discard or properly wash and disinfect toys, clothing and other contaminated objects.
For more information on how to safely clean up after a flood, visit the Hamilton County Public Health website.
Weather forecast for Cincinnati this week
Wednesday: A slight chance of rain after 3 p.m. Widespread frost, mainly before 9 a.m. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday night: A chance of rain before 11 p.m., then showers, mainly after 11 p.m. Low around 45. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday: Showers likely before 3 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., then a slight chance of showers after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday night: A chance of showers before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 and 11 p.m., then a chance of showers after 11p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: A slight chance of showers before 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 51. North wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Saturday: Areas of frost before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Monday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
Source: National Weather Service office in Wilmington, Ohio
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati flooding, weather updates: rain possible as waters recede