Ohioans are battening down the hatches as rain and snow began to sweep through Columbus, Cincinnati, and surrounding areas earlier today, with forecasts predicting a wintry mix tapering off this afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, the colder air will settle in tonight, followed by light snow and snow showers come Sunday as an arctic airmass makes its grand winter entrance.
Temperatures have been hovering in the mid to upper 30s before the expected front moves from northwest to southeast across the forecast area this afternoon, dipping below freezing by evening. "Could see a few flurries or patchy light SHSN late afternoon in the post-frontal environment, with CAA underway region-wide by sunset," the National Weather Service mentioned in a discussion update. However, towards the south, near I-71, precipitation is expected to remain mostly rainy.
A bit more concern is rolling into Sunday, with a dual threat of wintry impact. A categorical band of snow may affect the southeast third of the local area from early morning to afternoon, constituting one part of the threat. The second part shaping Sunday up to be "a fairly cold and blustery day" involves snow squall potential, which the National Weather Service suggests could be impactful with rapid changes in driving conditions. The Service is deliberating over Winter Weather Advisories, highlighting these concerns in their Hazardous Weather Outlook and other communication channels.
Looking further ahead, a bone-chilling cold stretch is poised to grip the Ohio Valley Sunday night through Wednesday. "Extreme Cold Watch from late Sunday night through Wednesday morning," were the precautionary words used by the NWS for multiple counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Expected low temperatures could bottom out at -10F to -20F wind chills, particularly in Central Ohio. Despite some uncertainty in the exact numbers, the consensus is on significant impacts from the cold spell.
The extended forecast points to the coldest conditions, focusing on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings before the weather begins to thaw slightly for the latter part of the week. For now, residents are advised to stay warm and informed and prepare for a wintry mix that seems to be just a prelude to many more frigid days ahead.
