The National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio, has issued a bulletin that the region encompassing Columbus, Cincinnati, and Wilmington is set to experience more than just a winter chill in the coming days. With brisk west winds continuing, wind chills will remain in the single digits this morning and in the teens this afternoon. An upper-level disturbance is also expected to make its way southeast tonight, poised to bring up to a half inch of snow to central Ohio, while other areas may see a dusting to a quarter inch, according to the NWS.
As per the National Weather Service, Light snow and flurries have been reported over the region and may persist throughout the overnight hours, yet due to the "fluffy nature of the snow and continued strong west winds," little to no substantial accumulation is expected. Residents particularly southwest of the Dayton-Wilmington-Chillicothe line might see a break in cloud cover this afternoon, though clouds are set to thicken again by evening. As for temperatures, highs are forecasted between 25 °C in the north to 30 °C in the south. However, even warmer lows are anticipated tonight, ranging from 20-25 degrees, as cloud cover mitigates any significant drop in temperatures, despite cold air continuously pumping into the area from the north.
Looking ahead, New Year's Eve is slated to bring another round of snow, with projections of an inch to an inch and a half in central Ohio by the morning of New Year's Day. A "half to 3/4" inch could fall from Darke County through Dayton, to Wilmington, and down to Scioto County, according to the NWS. Those in and around Cincinnati can breathe somewhat easier, as less than a quarter inch is expected in this area. The forecast suggests this pattern to be in lockstep with the current disturbance, driven by mid-level energy in strong northwest flow. Moreover, passage of a surface trough southwards may provide the necessary lift for snow production.
The weekend outlook remains free of active weather, with daytime temperatures hovering in the 30s or reaching low 40s in northern Kentucky areas, and climbing into the mid-30s to mid-40s by Monday. Overnight lows are expected to stay in the teens to low 20s, with Sunday night predicted to be somewhat warmer with lows in the mid 20s to low 30s. In terms of aviation impacts, the NWS warns of potential MVFR ceilings and visibility on New Year's Eve due to snow, which will undoubtedly affect flights in the region.
