According to the National Weather Service, residents in Columbus and Cincinnati can expect a break from the snowfall today as light snow is projected to cease this morning. The forecast indicates that high pressure will build up later in the afternoon, providing a brief respite before a cold front moves in Sunday night into Monday, bringing potential for more wintry conditions. Clearing skies are expected later, except perhaps in central Ohio, where cloud cover might persist.
Temperatures are anticipated to remain chilly, with highs straddling the mid-20s to lower 30s. By evening, as the surface ridge axis moves across the region, a southerly flow on its back edge could cause lower clouds to return, filling in the clear patches that developed during the daytime. Sunday, additional clouds might be spreading from the west as a precursor to the incoming short wave and cold front.
Lows tonight will be in quite the brisk mid to upper teens, with a slight increase in temperatures expected on Sunday—topping out in the lower to mid-30s. The NWS emphasizes that, although we're looking at low probabilities for precipitation with the approaching system, there remains a slight chance for flurries or freezing drizzle Sunday night, attributed to the limited moisture in soundings and minimal forcing involved in the system.
Come Tuesday and Wednesday, an arctic front is predicted to usher in harsher conditions, marked by daytime temperatures struggling to escape the teens and nighttime lows potentially plunging to single digits. With the cold breeze, NWS cautions that wind chills may reach thresholds, necessitating a Cold Weather Advisory, especially on Tuesday night when temperatures are expected to hover near zero. However, a modest warming is scheduled towards the end of the week, with temperatures flirting with the freezing point again by Friday.
In aviation terms, the snow's end means visual flight rules (VFR) will replace instrument flight rules (IFR) as visibility improves. However, marginal VFR (MVFR) ceilings will likely redevelop and spread northeast after midnight. Weekend flyers can expect continued MVFR ceilings with possible MVFR to IFR visibilities late Sunday into Monday. For a full weather briefing, including potential aviation disruptions, consult the National Weather Service website or click here for the latest updates.
