When strong storms are more likely to hit central Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An unseasonably warm and humid air mass will settle in over Ohio through Friday night, providing fuel for a few strong to severe thunderstorms, before a cold front brings in cooler and drier weather in time for the weekend.

Thursday afternoon will be relatively quiet due to a strong "cap" on the atmosphere, which refers to a layer of very warm, dry air from the southwest keeping things in check. However, a lid can pop when a disturbance brings in cooler air aloft after a period of strong surface heating.

There will be isolated storms possible Thursday evening, with a higher threat of strong to severe storms forming near a warm front in northern Ohio overnight.

The Storm Prediction Center has a Slight risk (Level 2 out of 5) for damaging winds, hail, and an isolated tornado, mainly focused across the northern part of Ohio, with a higher threat in northern Indiana and Lower Michigan, and the northwest corner of Ohio.

Friday looks somewhat similar to Thursday initially, with daytime heating driving temperatures up to the mid-80s, coupled with plenty of humidity, to create considerable instability.

However, a disturbance arriving from the west Friday evening will trigger a cluster of strong to severe storms, with the potential for damaging winds, hail and a few tornadoes across the southern half of Ohio Friday evening, where there is a Level 3 out of 5 risk.

Individual storms are likely to congeal into a storm complex that could contain a few supercells, or rotating storms, capable of producing large hail and a few tornadoes south of Interstate 70.

Stay tuned to NBC4 and and for the latest weather information, severe weather watches and warnings, and look for updates on your Storm Team 4 weather app.