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A tornado watch has been issued in multiple counties in central and southern Ohio just hours before polls close across the state on Tuesday night.
The region experienced strong thunderstorms earlier in the day, which brought on golf-ball sized hail and strong winds up to 70 mph. The current advisory is in place until 9 p.m.
The extreme weather comes on Election Day for Ohio voters, who will cast their ballots in a tight primary Senate race. Once the polls close at 7:30 p.m., there will be a Republican nominee to succeed incumbent Senator Rob Portman, who has decided against seeking a third term.
The outcome of the race will also be the first major test of former President Donald Trump's grip over the GOP.
Trump has endorsed venture capitalist J.D. Vance over the other two frontrunners, state Senator Matt Dolan, who has gone to great lengths to distance himself from Trump, and former state Treasurer Josh Mandel, who was backed by other top Republicans like Senator Ted Cruz.
In Trafalgar Group's final poll of the race, Vance was leading the race with 26 percent of the vote. As of the Monday poll, Dolan trailed closely with 22 percent and Mandel followed in third with 21 percent.
In Ohio, the greatest threat for tornado activity on Tuesday was forecasted between 3 to 8 p.m.
The National Weather Service warned those in the area to prepare for rapidly changing weather and to remain "weather aware" through the evening.
"A Severe Thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado and potentially widespread straight-line wind damage is moving into Hancock County," NWS Cleveland said at 5:25 p.m. "We have issued a Tornado Warning for Hancock County until 6:00 PM. Keep an eye farther east as this storm progresses."
Franklin, Fayette and Madison counties are also under a severe thunderstorm warning until 5:30 p.m., while the active storm advisory is in place until 5:45 p.m. for Ross, Pickaway, Fairfield and Hocking counties.
While bad weather may not deter voters from turning out, a 2007 study published in the Journal of Politics found that rain on election days "significantly reduces voter participation by a rate of just less than 1% per inch."
However, the study also found that poor weather benefits the Republican Party's vote share, which suggests the weather advisories in place may pose a smaller threat on a victory for Vance.
About the writer
Katherine Fung is a Newsweek senior reporter based in New York City. She has covered U.S. politics and culture extensively. ... Read more