HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS FORECAST
- Mainly dry and overcast during the daytime hours
- Brief periods of freezing rain/drizzle possible after 8:00 PM
- Milder temperatures with rain on Thursday
- Snow returns Thursday night into Friday
LOCAL DETAILS
A storm system in the Tennessee Valley will intensify and begin moving northeast during the day today. A layer of warm air aloft will overspread the region this evening while temperatures closer to the surface remain cold. This sets up conditions favorable for freezing rain this evening and tonight.
Temperatures at the surface locally are forecast to be at freezing or slightly above so the potential for freezing rain here in the Valley is marginal. The threat for freezing rain increases as you travel north. Currently, Stark, Wayne, and Holmes counties have a Winter Weather Advisory for freezing rain. Keep this in mind if you must travel north tonight and early Thursday morning.
It is more likely that the bulk of tonight’s freezing rain stays north of the Valley. The freezing rain threat locally will depend on surface temperatures. As of this morning, temperatures look more favorable for a touch of freezing rain in those neighborhoods along and north of New Philadelphia. Communities south of New Phila have better odds of all rain/drizzle.
The good thing we have going for us is surface temperatures. While temperatures will be at or near freezing early in the evening, they will trend upward to slightly above freezing through the night. That should minimize the freezing rain threat for the Thursday morning commute. Rain/drizzle will then become the primary precipitation type Thursday morning.
Ground temperatures are also warm given the last several days of springlike warmth. Treated main roads should be okay but there may be patchy slick spots on elevated surfaces (bridges/overpasses) and untreated roads. Ice accretion in any location should be minimal/light.
Cold air will sink south Thursday night and any rain/drizzle will change over to snow. Snow showers will then continue into Friday. Snow showers on Friday can be moderate at times and there may be spotty accumulation enough for slick spots on untreated roads. Total snow should be an inch or less.
WEEKEND OUTLOOK
A few lingering snow showers might hang in there long enough Saturday morning but the trend through the rest of the weekend will be improving weather and warming temperatures. A southerly flow Sunday through Tuesday will erase any snow that may have accumulated.
Thank you for always keeping us so well informed.