Mercer County EMA Urges Residents to Stay Alert as Midweek Severe Weather Threat Develops

Mercer County EMA Director Chad Wilrath says the area is moving into the time of year when weather conditions can change quickly from day to day, and this week is a good example of that.

Wilrath said residents should be especially mindful as the region heads into a midweek stretch that could bring severe weather, heavy rain, flooding concerns, and gusty winds.

“We’re getting into that time of year again where the weather kind of changes daily,” Wilrath said. “Tuesday it looks like we might be at a little bit of a slight risk for some severe weather. It’s just that time of year again where we just got to continuously watch the weather and it changes day to day and pay attention and make sure you have ways to get your alerts and notices when weather moves in.”

According to the forecast overview, a strong storm system is expected to move through the region during the middle of the week.

The first round of concern is expected overnight Tuesday night, when hail is listed as the primary threat.

A second and potentially more significant round of severe weather is possible Wednesday during the daytime and into the evening. Forecasters say damaging winds are the primary threat at that point, although isolated hail and even a tornado cannot be ruled out.

Heavy rain is also expected late Tuesday night into Wednesday, raising the potential for renewed flooding concerns. In addition, gusty winds are expected even outside of thunderstorms.

Forecasters note there is still some uncertainty in how the system could develop, especially whether thunderstorms Wednesday morning could affect the atmosphere and change the severe weather potential later in the day.

Wilrath said that uncertainty is exactly why residents should stay weather aware and make sure they are ready to receive warnings and updates as conditions change.

As the spring severe weather season begins, emergency officials are reminding the public to closely monitor forecasts, keep weather alerts turned on, and be prepared to act quickly if watches or warnings are issued.