According to the National Weather Service, residents in Columbus, Cincinnati, Wilmington, and surrounding areas will encounter widespread precipitation as they start their day. The forecast, published on December 18, anticipates a wet morning commute, especially for those in rural or sheltered locales that saw temperatures dip into the upper 20s and lower 30s overnight. Rising temperatures are expected to transition the mix of rain and snow predominantly to rain from southwest to northeast, with the slowest warming likely within a corridor from WC through central Ohio "through mid-morning," the National Weather Service notes.
The NWS report further details the potential for a brief wintry mix in spots, which could result in isolated slick areas during the morning commute. The "greatest potential for a RA/SN mix, possibly mixed with some sleet," will be observed in west central to central Ohio regions, including areas from Shelby/Auglaize Counties to Delaware/Licking Counties. Light snow accumulations are possible, mainly on untreated surfaces, though this isn't expected to cause widespread travel disruptions.
South of I-71, in parts of the Tri-State and Northern Kentucky, steady rain is forecasted through mid-afternoon with estimated accumulations nearing 0.5 inches, focusing from Owen County, KY, to Scioto County, OH. Conditions will dry out by late afternoon post-frontal passage, with only a few flurries persisting into the evening. The NWS predicts that "moisture availability in the DGZ will become increasingly meager late tonight," suggesting limited flurry activity.
The outlook into the weekend indicates a dry and cooler trend, with some light snow returning on Friday. "Despite the system being rather moisture-starved, we're still expecting a little bit of snowfall, particularly north of I-71," the NWS states, forecasting about an inch of accumulation that's likely to settle on grassy areas during daytime hours. With temperatures anticipated to hover around freezing and wind gusts reaching 20 MPH, it'll feel brisk. The subsequent cold snap going into the weekend will see daytime highs in the upper 20s to low 30s and overnight lows descending into teens, "possibly even single digits north of I-70."
Looking toward Christmas week, a warming trend and return of rain chances are anticipated by Christmas Eve. The larger pattern appears to shift, bringing anomalously high temperatures toward the end of the week. While specifics remain hazy, the NWS hints at a disturbance trekking through by Christmas Eve morning, with a leaning towards wet rather than white conditions. The approaching "anomalously high ridge" from western Canada seems poised to disrupt the cold spell, bringing milder air to the Ohio Valley.
