ALERT DAY: 3 things you should know about nighttime thunderstorms tonight

OHIO, USA – The WTOL 11 Weather Team has issued an ALERT DAY for tonight and into Tuesday morning due to the risk of overnight thunderstorms.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Timed coordination: Due to the humid and muggy conditions, humidity and instability will create a favorable atmosphere for thunderstorms in the afternoon. A line of thunderstorms will arrive after midnight. Strong to severe storms will develop between 2 and 5 a.m.

Threats: Thunderstorms are expected to arrive locally after midnight, but will still bring heavy rain, lightning, and straight-line winds. This line of thunderstorms will move roughly west to east with winds possibly exceeding 40 mph. With the possibility of heavy rain and the soils being soaked over the past few days, you may want to check your sump pump before you go to bed tonight.

Tornado potential: Although the tornado threat is low, there is a chance of a brief, developing tornado overnight. Make sure you have your cell phone charged and shoes nearby in case severe weather hits your home.

When: The rest of Monday will be mostly dry. Storms will develop west of our area near Chicago on Monday night. A line of strong to severe storms will slowly move into our area throughout the night and into the early hours of Tuesday morning. The main storms will occur between midnight and 5 a.m. After 5 a.m. Tuesday, the storms will die down and skies will be partly cloudy around sunrise Tuesday.

Effects: Strong winds, heavy downpours and hail can occur throughout the night. As you sleep, make sure you have multiple options for receiving warnings when strong to severe storms approach. Some of the most dangerous storms occur at night, so be sure to pay attention to the weather during the overnight hours. When making summer plans, including outdoor camping, you should be especially aware of the danger of these storms.

Need: Severe thunderstorms can be dangerous any time of day, but especially at night. Be sure to receive weather alerts that can wake you from sleep. This may include a weather radio or the WTOL 11 weather app. In the WTOL 11 weather app, select your location settings and alert settings to “On.” You’ll also need to move any outdoor furniture or loose items to safety before you go to bed tonight so they won’t be blown around or damaged during storms. Although heavy rain isn’t expected, it’s a good idea to check your sump pumps as well to avoid basement flooding problems.