There's a risk of severe weather, including damaging wind and the potential for a tornado, in the region today, according to an alert issued by the National Weather Service .
The hazardous weather outlook issued for east central Ohio includes Coshocton, Guernsey, Muskingum and Tuscarawas counties, among others.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely Tuesday, mainly before 5 p.m., according to the weather service forecast for Zanesville. The day is expected to be cloudy, with a high near 76. There's a 60% chance of precipitation. New rainfall amounts will be only a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
While the risk for hazardous weather is limited to Tuesday, wet weather is expected to stick around for several days, according to the weather service.
The precipitation is much-needed throughout the Buckeye State.
Ohio has been under a prolonged drought for several weeks . Of the state's 88 counties, 87 are affected.
The worst is in Southeast Ohio, where several counties are under a D4 Exceptional Drought , the most severe designation possible on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale.
Here's the National Weather Service forecast for Zanesville:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8pm and 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then a chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers before 8am, then a slight chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday night: A slight chance of showers before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday: A chance of showers after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday night: A chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday night: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Regional reporter Zach Tuggle contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Tornadoes possible today, weather service warns as rain brings welcome relief from drought
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