As the week kicks off in Columbus, Cincinnati, Wilmington, and surrounding areas, the locals can bask in a slight warming spell, leaving behind the weekend's chill. According to the National Weather Service, the frigid air is turning tail thanks to a southerly flow replacing the high-pressure axis over central Ohio this morning. Highs today will be up by about 10-15 degrees from Saturday, hitting near 40 in the north to the upper 40s in the south, reprieving from the recent cold snap.
Looking into the evening and onto Monday, the forecast from NWS elucidates that skies should remain clear to partly cloudy. However, as we head into Monday afternoon, be prepared to see more clouds developing in the northwest due to an approaching cold front. Moreover, with this change coming, there is a chance for the rain to appear on Monday evening in west central Ohio.
It's not just the skies that will be in motion; the wind also seems to be picking up the pace. NWS indicates a tightening pressure gradient, especially potent in the northwestern one-third of the Central Western Area (CWA), which will continue to usher in warmer air. So, if the morning lows in the lower 20s and highs in the mid-30s aren't enough to stave off the winter bite, the prospect of rising temperatures throughout the week might do the trick.
The long-term forecast does hint at a rather unsettled weather pattern, with multiple systems lined up to affect the region. From Monday night to Saturday, rain chances fluctuate, but temperatures are generally upward, per the forecast discussion by NWS. Lows are expected to become less nippy, warming into the 40s, and highs could soar to the mid-50s to lower 60s by Saturday, which are warm temperatures considering it's late December.
As for aviation enthusiasts or professionals, the immediate outlook appears manageable, with clear conditions slated for today. "Sct-bkn fair wx cu/sc will be found over the region this morning, dissipating as warmer air is brought in on weak southerly flow," noted in the NWS forecast discussion. However, come Monday night, pilots might be in for a more turbulent time, with MVFR/IFR conditions likely persisting into Tuesday. Set your sights on monitoring those weather updates closely if you plan to take flight.
