Nearly 40 counties in central and southern Ohio are under a tornado watch until 3 a.m. EDT Saturday as powerful storms move through the area, offering hazards of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes.
Tornado Watch 269 was issued by the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center at 7:15 p.m. Friday, and it includes significant population centers such as Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Athens. The watch will remain in effect overnight, with the most violent storms forecast between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center is monitoring Franklin, Butler, Warren, Hamilton, Greene, and Licking counties. We encourage residents in these locations to stay weather-aware, charge their devices in case of power disruptions, and review their tornado shelter plans. Local emergency managers urge avoiding travel during active warnings and seeking immediate shelter if sirens sound.
This severe setup is part of a larger system moving across the Ohio Valley, capable of producing rotating supercells and brief tornadoes. Tonight’s hazard is similar to late-spring breakouts that occurred in May 2022.
Additional warnings may be issued during the night. The Tornado Watch is in effect until 3 a.m., and additional updates will be released when new information becomes available.
