Strong storms could threaten region later this week

Spring-like temperatures could fuel severe storms before the week ends.

Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist Eric Elwell said the unseasonably mild weather will clash with arctic air trying to return southward and set the stage for a major storm system to develop.

This system is expected to develop across the Central Plains late Wednesday into Thursday, then track into the Ohio Valley on Friday.

"Some of the key ingredients we normally see in late March or April appear to be coming together late this week," Elwell said Monday evening. "Those ingredients would be a powerful jet stream providing plenty of wind energy aloft, along with warm temperatures and moisture at the surface.”

These key ingredients could help generate a powerful line of storms to the west of the Dayton region on Friday afternoon that will charge eastward into the Miami Valley on Friday evening.

"Right now, it's too early to tell the exact details on what or exactly where the greatest threat will be," Elwell said, "but right now it appears damaging wind gusts will likely be our primary concern."

Once the storm system moves through Friday night, expect temperatures to plunge into the 30s by Saturday morning with more seasonable, blustery conditions expected for the weekend.

"Don't be surprised if you see a few flurries before the weekend is over with," Elwell said.