Monday will bring another nice spring day to east-central Ohio with seasonal temperatures with high pressure. Mid and high level clouds will gradually increase through the day as the high moves east of Ohio and on to the Atlantic Coast.
With the increase in clouds this afternoon temperatures today will top out a degree or three lower than yesterday but everyone will still see highs in the low 50s.
THINGS WILL TURN MESSY TONIGHT
After a couple of nice spring days, it appears winter will once again remind us that it still has some fight left. Low pressure will track east out of the Tennessee Valley tonight and cross the lower Ohio Valley Tuesday spreading a plethora of wintry precipitation types over the east-central Ohio region tomorrow and Wednesday.
Conditions should remain mostly dry through the majority of tonight but odds for precipitation spreading into the region will increase early Tuesday morning. Precipitation will probably start out as snow showers or a mix of rain and snow as we head out to work and school tomorrow. I can’t rule out a period of freezing rain and/or sleet mixing in for a time through 9:00 or 10:00 AM.
With warm surface temperatures, though, this should have little impact on the morning commute. Area roads and highways are warm so any freezing rain or snow will melt quickly and precipitation will change over to all rain as temperatures warm enough to support rain by lunch time.
Periods of rain will remain with us through much of the day tomorrow changing back to snow showers Tuesday night as temperatures again drop toward 30 degrees. Off-and on snow showers will continue through early Wednesday morning finally ending by late morning.
HOW MUCH SNOW WILL WE GET?
This storm has the potential to bring about two-plus inches of snow to the area. BUT, total accumulation should be a modest one to two inches. Much of the snow will melt at the onset due to the high sun angle and warm surfaces. Eventually, though, some accumulation will occur.
National Weather Service odds for two inches of snow Tuesday night through Wednesday:
Generally speaking, I think most of us will end up with about an inch or so of new snow but I can’t rule out some of our southern communities getting a little more – up to two inches in some spots.
I’ll note here that computer modeling is a little hinky yet regarding snow totals. We should have a better handle on how much snow as the system comes in range on the short term high res models later tonight.
THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
Dry conditions will settle over the region Wednesday and remain in place through Friday. Temperatures will be cooler with afternoon highs generally in the low 40s under a mix of sun and clouds on Thursday warming to the mid 40s under bright sunshine on Friday.
WEEKEND PREVIEW
Precipitation moves back in to the forecast for Saturday with rain as the primary type. Sunday looks to be the pick day of the weekend with sunshine returning. Temperatures will remain cool, however, with temperatures in the mid 40s.
Thanks for the update, Joe. Appreciate your very accurate reports.