Residents of Columbus, Cincinnati, and surrounding areas in the middle Ohio Valley should brace for a cold weekend followed by warmer conditions and rain chances starting Monday night, as the National Weather Service, Ohio, forecasted. According to the NWS forecast discussion released early today, "high pressure will build southeast into the central Great Lakes and middle Ohio Valley by tonight," bringing below-normal temperatures through the weekend.
For today, cold air advection will persist, possibly leading to passing flurries. However, "with some diurnal heating, shallow instability will allow cumulus/stratocumulus to redevelop this afternoon," the National Weather Service stated. Those in the region should prepare for highs ranging from the upper 20s north to the low 30s south. The presence of moisture around 850 mb invites the possibility of a light flurry but without significant visibility restrictions.
As the surface high-pressure system moves in tonight, Ohioans can expect the cloud cover to scatter, with "clouds early on will scatter/clear during the evening," setting the stage for a cold, clear night. The NWS predicts that overnight calm winds will contribute to low temperatures, generally between 15 and 20 degrees. Moving into Sunday, the gradual eastward shift of the high-pressure system will allow for a rise in temperature in the upper 20s northeast to the mid-30s southwest.
The week ahead should see a noticeable warming trend, as "a warming trend is in store for the region, with temperatures rising into the 50s from midweek until the weekend," noted the forecasters. Rain is expected to return by late Monday, with a faded cold front pushing through the area and the potential for rain events extending later into the week. Nevertheless, residents should keep umbrellas close as NWS anticipates "another rain event to affect the region on Friday," with the main body of rain possibly lasting into Saturday.
Travelers and those planning outdoor activities should watch for aviation updates, as "MVFR/IFR conditions likely Monday night," and persistent MVFR or IFR ceilings could extend into midweek, potentially affecting flights. According to the National Weather Service, the service emphasizes readiness for fluctuating weather patterns as the Ohio Valley transitions from a brisk, bracing pre-Christmas weekend into a decidedly warmer, wetter finish to 2024.
