We’ll end the work week on a chilly but sun-filled day across east-central Ohio with high pressure briefly in control. Temperatures this afternoon in the Tuscarawas Valley will be well below average with afternoon highs in the mid 30s. Normally highs for mid March should be in the low 50s.
Temperatures dip to the low 20s again tonight with skies remaining mostly clear.
WINTRY MIX POSSIBLE SATURDAY
Low pressure will track east to the Atlantic Coast on Saturday clipping southern Ohio as it crosses. Computer models are in pretty good agreement that precipitation from this system has at least low odds of reaching north into the Tuscarawas Valley during the first part of the day tomorrow.
Temperatures Saturday morning will be borderline and any precipitation that makes it north into the Valley could bring a potpourri of rain, sleet, snow, and freezing rain briefly tomorrow morning. The majority of this activity is more likely to stay south of I-70, but I can’t completely rule out a brief period of sleet and/or freezing rain especially in those communities south of New Philadelphia.
LOCAL IMPACTS
The window for sleet and freezing rain is brief – no more than a couple of hours Saturday morning mainly between 8:00 and 10:00 AM. And any accumulations will be light. Local travel impacts should be minimal, but remain aware of possible slick spots.
The low will quickly exit east to the coast by Saturday afternoon bringing an end to any and all precipitation. Skies will gradually clear Saturday night as high pressure builds in once again to bring us a spectacular Sunday. You’ll be hard pressed to find a cloud in the sky Sunday and afternoon temperatures will warm to around 50 degrees – just about where we should be.
MONDAY – WEDNESDAY
High pressure will keep the sunshine going through Monday. Temperatures on Monday should top out in the low 50s.
Our next weather maker slides in on Tuesday with low pressure tracking across the Ohio Valley. This will bring rain and slightly cooler temperatures back into the forecast Tuesday and Wednesday. Snow could mix in with the rain Tuesday and Wednesday morning but should switch over to rain as temps warm in the late morning/afternoon.
There are differences in the track of this system and I’m only showing you one example here. But generally Tuesday and Wednesday look wet.
SIGNS OF SPRING
Winter seems to be hanging tough this year but the longer range modeling does support a gradual warming trend after next week and in to next weekend.
Although we don’t see any 60s or 70s yet, the long term trend is for generally warmer temperatures. Could this mean we turn the corner after next week? That’s a tough call. But on a positive note, I don’t see any daytime 30-degree highs in either the GFS or European modeling through the end of the month.
One can only hope.
