Ohio residents should brace for a mix of wintry weather early this week as a low-pressure system sweeps through the Tennessee Valley, bringing the potential for snow accumulation in some areas. According to the National Weather Service, places along and south of the Ohio River could see snowfall Monday night into Tuesday, with much of the region experiencing dry and seasonable conditions leading up to the event.
The NWS notes that high pressure will be shifting east across the region on Sunday and into Monday, allowing for partial cloud cover and slightly below-normal temperatures. With high pressure in tow, afternoon highs will range from the lower 30s north to the lower 40s in the south by Monday. However, high-level clouds will begin to increase throughout the afternoon as the system nears.
Snowfall is expected to reach northern Kentucky counties by Tuesday morning, where accumulations of 1-3 inches are possible, and some southeast areas near Lewis, KY, could see up to 4 inches. Predominantly, less than one inch of snow is projected for the regions near and northwest of the I-71 corridor, where limited snow accumulations are expected.
Weather conditions will see only a brief letup between this system and the next, with a more powerful storm system poised to hit mid-week. "The primary difference with this system is that a deeper, stronger low pressure center will develop and track right through the upper Ohio Valley," the National Weather Service forecast discussion mentioned. As this second wave comes through, temperatures favor rain over snow for most of the area, save for a potential mix near and northwest of I-71. This dynamic system's precise trajectory remains critical, as shifts could lead to increased wintry precipitation amounts for the northwest counties.
Air travel may also be impacted during this period, with the NWS highlighting possible MVFR to IFR conditions with snow Tuesday into Wednesday, then again with a mixture of rain and snow Wednesday night into Thursday. Residents should consult the National Weather Service and local news outlets for up-to-date weather forecasts and travel advisories.
