Winter has announced its blustery presence, and the National Weather Service in Wilmington isn't holding back with its latest forecast. The cold front that’s brought gusty conditions and plunging temperatures isn’t just a brief visit, but rather an extended stay, promising a mix of cloudy skies and low, stubborn mercury readings in the days to come.
The situation as of this morning, according to the National Weather Service Wilmington, a wind advisory has been hoisted for the northern two-thirds of the Central Western Ohio area, with southern parts also getting a fair share of the strong winds they're not expected to hit wind advisory levels but that's cold comfort when you're faced with the bluster and sustained high winds. High pressure is expected to build in by Friday, which should mark a modest rise in temperatures and a reprieve from the persistent winds that have been hounding the region since the cold front's arrival.
A strong low-pressure system, now tracking east through the Great Lakes, is the winter maestro orchestrating our weather woes, as it spins and rushes northeastward, leaving a wake of howling west winds and temperatures struggling to claw their way out of the 30s. The National Weather Service details: "temperatures falling steadily into the 30s," and for those beyond the Scioto Valley, don't expect relief as temperatures are set to plummet from near 50 at daybreak to the mid-30s by late day.
Thursday won't bring much in the way of respite, with the forecast discussion indicating continued brisk west winds that will peg day-time highs in the lower 30s for most, upper 30s if you’re hugging the Ohio River banks, winds aren’t expected to let up until Friday night when finally high pressure takes the helm and clears the skies somewhat, leading into a Saturday that may start on a brighter note both literally and figuratively.
In the longer view, as we head into the weekend, an upper-level trough from the Northern Rockies is digging in, spelling more weather on the horizon. A surface low tagged by this system is expected to move near Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana by Saturday evening, bringing an increase in precipitation chances. However, the initial form may very well be snow, transitioning to rain as temperatures edge up under the nocturnal blanket of clouds. "Expect it to end Sun morning," states the synopsis from the National Weather Service Wilmington; however, they're quick to balance optimism with a dose of reality, noting the low confidence in post-Sunday forecasts and the potential for a dry spell that the forecast does not yet reflect.
For the aviators among us, turbulence is the word, with gusts hitting the 30-40 knot mark on Wednesday, strongest to the north at Dayton, where a firmer pressure gradient has taken hold. These conditions, while easing overnight, are a clear signal of caution for anyone needing to navigate the skies. Anticipate fluctuating cloud bases, but those flying in and out of Cincinnati and Lunken are due for clearer views by 06Z, while others might endure MVFR/VFR conditions a tad longer, as indicated in the latest aviation outlook.
