Residents in the Ohio Valley should brace themselves for a dynamic shift in weather this weekend, as forecasted by the National Weather Service. According to NWS's latest report, today's high-pressure and comfortable airmass is set to be swapped out for a low-pressure system by Saturday. This change gears up to bring a fresh batch of precipitation our way, traversing through Columbus, Cincinnati, and the neighboring regions.
The weather scoop for today is fairly straightforward, with surface high pressure forecasted to hold steady across the southern Great Lakes and upper Ohio Valley. While some mid and high-level clouds are expected to appear across the northern stretches quickly, sunshine isn't about to be shy elsewhere. However, it's time not to forget to grab a warmer jacket as temperatures stay cool, ranging from the lower 30s up north to the lower 40s down south.
Tonight, as a weak surface low rolls out from the central Plains, cloud cover will sweep across the region, setting the stage for the weekend's precipitation narrative. With a slow build of moisture overnight, late-night sprinkles or light rain showers could sneak into southern areas. Saturday's script calls for widespread precipitation, kicking off from the south and intensifying as the low treks along the Ohio River. Concerns arise to the north of the low's trail, with freezing rain threatening to introduce itself before shifting into rain, although icing seems predicted to be minimal at this stage.
Looking ahead, Saturday night's curtain call features the surface low center stage right over the forecast area. As the system exits eastward, rainfall remains the lead act southeast of I-71. Yet, the northern ensemble may have to navigate a trickier mix, with freezing rain potentially dropping by. While accumulation forecasts tap out at just a few hundredths of an inch, all eyes stay peeled on central Ohio, which could experience slightly higher totals. A cameo of high pressure on Sunday guarantees a brief intermission from the wintry mix, returning temperatures near seasonal norms, albeit cooler than Saturday's highs. Next week promises no break in the active pattern, and we are set to deliver another mixed bag of winter weather by Monday night into Tuesday.
Aviators note that from high-level clouds today to potential MVFR and IFR conditions starting Saturday morning, the outlook doesn't clear until Sunday. On Saturday morning, a spread of light rain showers is also on the radar for southern TAF sites. "The rain may briefly mix with freezing rain for a brief period Saturday morning," warns the NWS report for those in flight or intending to take off during the weather transition.
