The much-advertised incoming winter storm has the likelihood of widespread winter weather impacts in our area. Stay informed with the latest updates.
There are no significant changes to the forecast this evening. Saturday will be your last opportunity to complete any tasks, run errands, or get last-minute groceries ahead of the incoming snowstorm. Conditions will deteriorate Saturday night and continue to worsen on Sunday.
APPROXIMATE LOCAL TIMING
Snow showers, mainly light, will spread into the Tuscarawas Valley after 7PM Saturday night from the southeast (Newcomerstown area) to the northeast (Mineral City, Sandyville areas) by around 11PM.
It will snow pretty much all day on Sunday at varying rates – sometimes heavy (1″/hr or more). Travel conditions will deteriorate through the day.
The steadiest snow will begin winding down after midnight Sunday night, finally ending around sunrise Monday morning from west to east. Scattered snow showers and/or flurries will remain possible throughout Monday.
Winds out of the west will become gusty on Monday, so expect a very cold and blustery day. Temperatures won’t do much better than the mid-teens. The wind will only make it worse. Wind chill values in the single digits.
SNOW AMOUNTS
Snowfall will occur at varying rates through the entire storm. The heaviest snowfall rates are expected to occur during the day on Sunday. Expect snow amounts of between 8 inches and 12 inches in our area by the time this wraps up on Monday.
Characteristically, this will be light, dry, fluffy snow – not the heavy and wet snow we usually see. On the plus side, at least the snow will be easier to shovel and plow. There will just be a lot of it to move.
Confidence continues to remain high that precipitation in our region will be all snow. We will not have any rain, sleet, or freezing rain to deal with. Those precip types will be a bigger issue for areas well to our south.
WIND
There won’t be much of an issue with wind during the storm. Most of today’s guidance indicates wind speed at 10 mph or less. After the storm, however, west winds will pick up on Monday with gusts as high as 20 to 25 mph possible at times. Blowing snow may be an issue on Monday and Tuesday.
AFTER THE STORM
Travel will be challenging at best during and after the storm. It will take some time to clean up this mess.
Temperatures locally will continue to be well-below normal over the next seven to ten days. Wind chills will be harshly cold.
Once the snow arrives over the weekend, it will be with us for some time. In addition, any little clipper-like system or disturbance that nears the region going forward will bring the potential for additional snow showers/flurries at times next week. These will likely lead to localized snow accumulation.
Buckel in. This will be a long-term event. There is still time for adjustments before the storm arrives, so remain aware of new info as it becomes available. I’ll post updates as needed. Thanks for reading, and be safe and patient out there. – Joe
Thank you Joe! When is the last time we had a storm like this? I was in the hospital having a baby during the blizzard of 1978! I didn’t get to come home for 8 days!