Warmer air and rain will overspread the region Today as surface low pressure crosses the Great Lakes. A passing cold front tonight will bring a return of cold air and periods of snow showers.
Basically, a wet day is in store for the Valley. Widespread rain showers will continue for much of the day. Warm southerly air will be gusty at times with occasional 20 to 25 mph gusts. Temperatures will warm to the upper 40s this afternoon.
A total of three-quarters to one inch of rain is expected today. This, along with the melting snowpack, could result in some minor flooding issues.
One other thing to note: With the rain on the snowpack, fog will develop especially in the afternoon. The wind might limit fog but be on the lookout for foggy areas late today and tonight.
While localized creeks, streams and low spots may see some flooding today, the river will take some time to respond. The Tusky will slowly rise over the next few days with the highest levels by Friday morning. Folks along the river should monitor for rising flood waters.
But, it is late January and the relatively warm temperatures today will be brief. A cold front will cross east-central Ohio tonight. Temperatures will fall behind the front and rain showers will change over to snow showers. Guidance suggests this will begin after midnight/1:00 AM.
This will be some heavy wet snow and it could come down moderately heavy for a time. The main band of snow showers should push east of the area by sunrise Thursday morning. Total snowfall shouldn’t amount to much and most neighborhoods will end up with an inch – maybe two at the most.
Temperatures will cool to below freezing tonight. Ice may form on the roads in spots and with the snow expected tonight, watch for slick spots in the morning.
LONG RANGE
I mentioned this in yesterday’s update and I’ll bring it up again today – some of the coldest air in quite a few years is poised to settle over the eastern US next week. I’m talking serious cold temperatures and wind chills. High temperatures next Wednesday/Thursday may only reach the single digits.
I’m not trying to hype things. Just letting you know that really harsh temperatures and wind chills are looking like a good possibility again next week.