A clipper system is currently making progress across the upper Great Lakes pretty much as expected. Temperatures so far today are trending slightly warmer than guidance suggested, so the anticipated wet snow has been more sporadic than expected – which is a good thing.
Temperatures will continue to warm to the low 40s through the rest of the afternoon before the cold front slides through eastern Ohio late this afternoon or early this evening. We will likely see periods of rain continue through the rest of the afternoon until the front crosses the area.
Temperatures then fall off through the night to the low 20s by sunrise. A brief period of snow is a good bet as colder air flows over the region behind the front before precipitation ends this evening. Little or no snow accumulation is likely here. Standing water on roads and walkways can quickly freeze, and icy spots will be a potential hazard.
In addition to today’s rain and snow, winds will turn quite gusty today and tonight. Some gusts could be in the 25 to 30 mph range
THURSDAY – SATURDAY
Thursday will start out cold and breezy with area temperatures in the low 20s and wind chills in the single digits as you head out. Other than the sharply colder temperatures and blustery wind, mainly dry conditions will prevail. Snow shower activity on Thursday will be more of an issue in the snowbelt counties to the north.
Computer guidance suggests a couple of systems that may bring wintry impacts to our area to end the week. The first wave is modeled to keep south of us Thursday night and Friday, with locations along and south of I-70 getting the bulk of any heavier snow amounts.
There is some degree of uncertainty in the track of this system, so we’ve left some chances of snow in the forecast for this period. This will get better refined over the next 24 hours, but for now, additional snow is possible on Friday, especially in our southern communities.
Next up in the parade is another clipper traveling through the Great Lakes Friday night into Saturday. Currently, the setup with this appears to favor a lake effect scenario. Should that hold, any additional snow accumulation here would largely depend on bands of snow diving far enough south into our area.
So, with one system south of our area and another to the north, we’re stuck between the two. That actually is a good place to be as far as the potential for impactful snow. While we probably will end up with some snow, the total should not present any big travel issues in our area.
BUT WAIT. THERE’S MORE!
Just as a heads up, one more system is lined up for the Saturday night to Sunday timeframe. While snow amounts are significantly uncertain, modeling does agree on another reinforcing cold front that will bring a few days of very cold temperatures. Sunday’s daytime highs will struggle to reach 20°, and single-digit lows are likely Monday morning.
Thanks for taking a few minutes to catch up with our local weather. Have a great Day! – Joe
