Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible in Licking County and other parts of central Ohio as the remnants of Hurricane Helene spread across the area today, Friday, Sept. 27.

Leaves are falling fast in Licking County as drought-stressed trees are hit with increasing winds from the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Credit: Alan Miller

A National Weather Service advisory issued on Friday said that the strong wind gusts could continue into Friday night — “with a rapid increase in winds peaking this afternoon into early to mid-evening.”

The storm will be stronger in southwestern Ohio.

The weather service said that “damaging wind gusts are likely across northern Kentucky, southeast Indiana, and southwestern Ohio, with some tree damage and power outages likely. Rainfall may be locally heavy this afternoon into early this evening, and some minor runoff issues are possible during the peak of the rainfall.”

The forecast for Licking County calls for showers throughout the day on Friday, with the possibility of up to a half-inch of rain by Saturday morning. The high on Friday will be near 77 with sustained winds of 15-20 mph and gusts up to 50 mph.

It is expected to be dry on Saturday morning, and there is a slight chance of showers after 2 p.m., with a high near 74 and a low on Saturday night of about 62. There is a 70% chance of rain Saturday night, with the possibility of less than a tenth of an inch of new precipitation.

Showers likely on Sunday, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. The high will be near 75, an new precipitation could total up to a quarter inch — perhaps more in areas where thunderstorms occur. The low on Sunday night will be around 61, and the chance of rain is 50%.

Clouds and rain will stick around through Tuesday night, and the sunshine is expected to return on Wednesday.

Alan Miller

Alan Miller teaches journalism and writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University's Journalism Program. He is the former executive editor of The Columbus Dispatch and former Regional Editor for Gannett's 21-newsroom USAToday Network Ohio.