Columbus woke up Monday, February 23, to light snow and streaks of blowing flakes just strong enough to make the morning drive a headache. Roads range from simply wet to slick in spots. Temperatures are sitting in the mid 20s and are expected to climb into the low 30s by this afternoon, but gusty northwest winds will make it feel colder and trim visibility from time to time.
What The National Weather Service Is Warning
The National Weather Service office in Wilmington issued a Special Weather Statement early Monday, calling out snow showers and northwest gusts up to about 30 mph that could lead to sudden drops in visibility along with localized blowing and drifting snow. New snow totals are expected to stay light, generally under an inch, although central Ohio has a 60 to 70 percent chance in some pockets of picking up a half inch or more this morning. Forecasters also note that snow showers may briefly drop ceilings and visibilities to MVFR or IFR at John Glenn (KCMH) and Rickenbacker (KLCK) airports before conditions improve this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Morning Commute
Northwest winds of 13 to 16 mph, with gusts near 29 mph, are expected to keep untreated surfaces slippery and may blow loose snow back onto roadways during the morning rush. Visibility can fall quickly in the more robust snow showers, bringing brief whiteout-like conditions and slowing traffic on both highways and side streets. If you have to drive, ease off the gas, leave extra room between vehicles, and pad your schedule with a little more travel time.
Looking Ahead
Another system arriving late Wednesday, February 25, into Thursday, February 26, could bring a higher chance of rain and snow across central Ohio. Forecasters say there is potential for 1 to 2 inches of new snow in parts of the area on Thursday, although timing and totals are still uncertain. If you have midweek travel or outdoor plans, stay tuned for updates. For background on this pattern, see Sunday snow sneaks into Columbus, and check the National Weather Service for the latest forecast.
