Residents of Columbus, Cincinnati, and surrounding areas brace yourselves for a notable shift in weather. The National Weather Service forecasts gusty winds this afternoon and snow showers as a cold front sweeps through this evening. The National Weather Service reported that temperatures will plummet below normal by Friday and Saturday.
The calm before the proverbial storm will come in benign sprinkles or flurries today, unimpactful to the bustle of city life. Yet, the National Weather Service cautions that the afternoon will bring robust bursts of 30 to 40 mph wind gusts, with isolated cases exceeding 40 mph. Riding along the cold front, from 9 PM through 2 AM, a tumultuous mix of moderate to heavy snow and biting winds might tempt fate on the roads—an encounter to be avoided if possible.
As the evening progresses, so does the complexity of the conditions. When the front overtakes the region, it will not only cut through the warmth but may also conjure snow showers or storms, particularly around the I-70 corridor. However, the intensity of these showers is not cast in stone, with higher temperatures potentially keeping the worst off the streets for a period. Still, alerts play it safe, indicating the chance for slick, untreated roads and compromised travel.
Thursday morning's commute could be a harrowing wake-up call with wind chills expected to dip into a frigid embrace of minus 5 to 5 degrees, particularly in the western parts of Ohio and Indiana. Adverse conditions are potentially in store until Thursday morning across the regions, as the National Weather Service states. South of the I-70 corridor, despite the anticipation of sunshine, the sting of the cold will likely keep any outdoor activities short-lived.
Come the weekend, a silver lining appears as surface high pressure eases conditions somewhat. The sun's weak winter rays persist on Friday, but temperatures remain stubbornly low. By Saturday, a mid-level ridge nudges temperature gauges upward, hinting at more agreeable outdoorsy prospects and highs reaching the 40s. Rain chances reemerge by Sunday night into Monday as another weather system queues up, promising a wet start to the upcoming week and above-normal temperatures.
