With the amount of rain/sleet today, clearly snow totals across our area are going to be less from this storm. This possibility was highlighted in earlier forecasts. I know that those who wished for a ‘big’ snow event are disappointed, but warm air encroachment was always on the table.
That being said, a changeover from rain/sleet to snow is still expected tonight as much colder air finally moves in on the backside of our storm system. Futurecast radar through 1:00 PM Sunday:
Even though snow totals will not be as high as expected, quickly-dropping temperatures tonight will create icy roads. PLUS, because of today’s rain, much of the brine and pretreatment ODOT did in anticipation of snow will have been washed away.
Adding to the cold tem[eratures, winds will pick up tonight becoming quite strong with gusts near 30 mph at times. Flash freezing is a good possibility of creating black ice on roads and walkways. Blowing and drifting snow will add to travel difficulties early Sunday morning. Power outages are still a concern as freezing occurs on trees and power lines.
The heaviest snowfall should end Sunday morning leaving gusty wind, blowing snow, and much colder temperatures for tomorrow afternoon. The gusty wind will continue keeping wind chill values below zero for much of the day.
Revised snow totals for tonight into Sunday morning from NWS Pittsburgh:
Temperatures Sunday night will be the coldest of the season with lows around 3°.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Muskingum, and Tuscarawas counties until 10:00 AM Sunday.
