Ohioans are bundling up as an Arctic blast grips the region, with record cold temperatures set to challenge historic marks. The National Weather Service Wilmington OH has reported that the snow system has largely passed, leaving behind a 3 to 6 inch blanket along and south of I-70, with lighter accumulations further north and into parts of Kentucky. With the snow now moving out of the area, all winter storm warnings and advisories have been lifted.
The bitter cold is not to hastily abate, with wind chills predicted to stay in the single digits throughout today. "High temperatures will only rise to between 10 and 15 degrees," cites a forecast discussion from the National Weather Service Wilmington OH. In a cruel twist, these conditions threaten to surpass record cold maxima that have stood since 1917 in cities like Cincinnati (CVG), Columbus (CMH), and Dayton (DAY).
As the night draws in, the Arctic high pressure is set to build further, plunging temperatures into the single digits above and below zero. The light winds will slightly ease the sting, but the lowest wind chill readings are expected to tumble to between zero and minus fifteen, especially over eastern Indiana and western Ohio. A cold weather advisory holds well in covering these conditions and remains in effect until 11 AM EST Monday.
Looking ahead, there's a short-term thaw in the cards. "Mid level flow will become zonal early in the period," the National Weather Service Wilmington OH indicated, with temperatures gradually warming into the lower and middle 20s. The respite is brief, however, as another weather system on Thursday threatens to bring rain and MVFR to IFR conditions. But before that front arrives, Ohioans can look forward to a thaw with highs on Thursday expected "to reach the lower and middle 50s."
Travelers and locals alike should be mindful of the aviation forecasts, which note that MVFR to VFR stratocu will redevelop and persist through the afternoon, with clearing expected later in the day and into the night. Pilots and passengers can anticipate some high-level clouds and potentially tricky flying conditions through Thursday.
