Much colder weather can be expected this week as temperatures will be around 15 degrees below normal. A strong warming trend takes place by the weekend.
Yesterday’s snow played out pretty much as expected. Most of the spotter reports to NWS averaged between 2″ and 3″ inches for the Tuscarawas Valley and surrounding areas. The area of low pressure responsible for yesterday’s snow here has moved off to New England this morning,
Broad upper-level high pressure will bring dry and calm weather for the east-central Ohio region the majority of the work week. Our only weather issue will be the very cold temperatures that will settle over the region. Even with the stronger March sun, temperatures this week will remain around 20° below climate averages. Example: Today’s average high in New Phila should be 46° but our afternoon high today will only reach the low 20s.
Skies overnight will be generally clear. With little in the way of clouds to help hold in any of the daytime solar energy, temperatures overnight will plummet and many neighborhoods will end up with lows in the single digits. With a west wind at around 8 to 10 mph, below-zero wind chill values are expected.
Kids waiting at the bus stop or walking to school in the morning will need to bundle up. For that matter, so will mom and dad.
TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY
Weak low pressure will cross the upper Great Lakes region on Tuesday. There is little moisture with this little bump and about the only effect locally for the Valley will be a somewhat cloudier day tomorrow. Light snow showers will stay mainly along the snow belt areas of northern Ohio.
Afternoon highs tomorrow will be a few degrees colder than today and breezy conditions will keep below-zero wind chills through the day and into Tuesday night.
High pressure over the Tennessee Valley will build for Wednesday and Thursday but despite the sunshine, temperatures will remain well below average through the period.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND
Cold temperatures in the Valley will begin to relax on Friday. Unfortunately, the warmer temperatures will come with a price. There are differences in the models but low pressure looks to approach the Ohio Valley Thursday night and may bring odds for a little snow Friday morning. Any accumulation here would be light and likely not much more than a dusting.
High pressure returns to bring dry weather to the Valley Friday afternoon and Saturday. A stronger low will move through the Great Lakes Saturday night and Sunday spreading decent odds for rain into east-central Ohio to end the weekend.
Temperatures through the period will gradually warm through the weekend. Highs on Friday should get to around 40°. Afternoon highs in the mid-40s on Saturday will warm to the low-50s on Sunday.
NEXT WEEK
While temperatures are forecast to remain well below normal this week, there are signs that we could see temperatures more in tune with climate averages next week.
Have a great Monday!
