Everyone probably already knows that wintry weather is likely in our area over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Here is what we know as of Monday morning.
WEDNESDAY
High pressure will result in dry weather on Wednesday. There should be no travel issues locally on Wednesday. Temperatures are forecast to run right about average for this time of the year.
THANKSGIVING
Confidence is increasing on low pressure moving out of the Plains Wednesday night and traveling toward the Ohio River Valley on Thanksgiving morning. Rain showers can be expected locally Wednesday night into Thanksgiving. As temperatures drop off to freezing and below Thursday night, expect rain to transition to wet snow showers.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND
Significantly colder temperatures will move into the region early on Friday with periodic rounds of snow showers and/or flurries on Friday and continuing through the weekend. This colder pattern is likely to persist through the first ten days or so of December.
LOCAL IMPACTS
The probability of measurable snowfall in our area remains on the low side through the long Thanksgiving weekend as of Monday morning. There can be light snow accumulation on elevated surfaces and grassy areas but area roads should be mostly wet. NOTE: Snow accumulation is expected to be heavier as you travel north toward the snowbelt counties in northern Ohio.
Perhaps the biggest weather impact will be the cold temperatures from Friday onward. Cold air will couple with breezy winds at times to produce windchill temperatures we’ve not seen here in quite some time.
WRAPUP
So far this looks to have minor travel impacts for the Tuscarawas Valley area leading up to Thanksgiving. Impacts may be higher in areas toward the north and in the snowbelt counties along and east of the lakeshore – especially on Friday and Saturday. Snow or not, temperatures will turn much colder beginning on Friday and remain cold through the weekend and beyond.
Expect changes in the forecast leading up to Thursday. The rain/snow boundary lines can shift in future model runs. Any shifts in the current forecast track will impact expected snow amounts and timing in our area. Check the forecast over the next few days if you have travel plans.
