Brace yourselves, Columbus and Cincinnati, for a week of weather whiplash. After a stint of dryness, high-pressure relief is giving way to an imminent cool down, with precipitation to boot. According to the latest National Weather Service Wilmington OH forecast, clear skies on Monday will soon be overshadowed by a weather one-two punch: rain on Wednesday set to turn to snow overnight as an upper-level trough throws a chilly left hook our way.
As the wind picks up to southwesterly gusts of 20-30 MPH today, we'll catch mild highs in the upper 30s to mid 40s. But don't get too cozy; "Some weak upper forcing will rotate around the upper trough into the area by late Tuesday afternoon," per the National Weather Service Wilmington OH, potentially teasing "some very light precipitation." Although a mixed boundary layer is providing a brief respite, Tuesday night's weather can be nothing short of deceptive, with the mercury dipping into the upper 20s to lower 30s.
Moving into the more tumultuous part of the week, the prognosis isn't much brighter. "PoPs introduced back into the forecast Tuesday evening ahead of the next shortwave trough and associated surface cold front," said the National Weather Service Wilmington OH. The shift from rain to snow is expected to bring accumulation, and with it, the potential for slick travel conditions. The NWS is talking about 0.5" to 2.0" of snow on the radar, unwelcome news for evening commuters.
Thursday will see the tail end of the snow showers, but don't expect a warm-up just yet. "Arctic air mass settles into the region, with highs remaining in the 20s," the NWS has advised. And for those hoping to see the back of this wintry spell, more snow is likely on its way as another shortwave trough gears up to strike early in the weekend. If you're one for silver linings, though, at least this bout of weather makes for a classic case of enjoying the calm before the storm.
For those trying to navigate the impending conditions, the aviation outlook is a reflection of the broader forecast with "MVFR conditions expected Wednesday through Thursday, with some snow possible Wednesday night into Thursday morning as well," according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, OH. The take-home message: keep your eyes on the skies and your coats at the ready.
