Clouds over the region this morning are due to a weak disturbance crossing east along the Ohio River. Any light precipitation associated with this should keep to our south. Clouds during the morning will thin as the wave exits east and allow for a brighter afternoon. Temperatures today will be cooler than yesterday, with daytime highs in the low-40s locally.
High pressure will build overhead Thursday and remain the focus for our weather on Friday and Saturday. Temperatures in the east-central Ohio region will warm nicely to the mid to upper 50s. Friday will be the pick day with plenty of sun.
Clouds will gradually increase on Saturday ahead of a cold front moving through eastern Ohio Saturday night. While this doesn’t look to be any big snowstorm, some model discrepancies come into play that would impact expected snow amounts. Overall, this is a fairly weak system that may start out as light rain or drizzle before changing to light snow or flurries as temperatures cool behind the front.
After a warm Saturday, colder air will flow into the region on Sunday, and daytime highs will only top out in the mid-30s.
EARLY WEEK STORM?
The mid-range models continue to advertise a developing storm system tracking east Sunday night and Monday. However, there are significant differences in how this system plays out, and potential winter weather impacts in our area remain highly uncertain.
Recent model runs over the last 24 hours have generally shifted the system a bit further to the south. Previously, snow accumulation was centered closer to Lake Erie. Now it has shifted along the I-70 corridor. All this really means is there will likely be some winter shenanigans somewhere in Ohio Sunday night and Monday. Exactly where those winter weather impacts set up is uncertain at this point.
What the models DO agree on is that if winter impacts do occur Sunday night into Monday morning, they will be short-lived. High pressure will quickly establish from the northeast, and conditions will improve by Monday afternoon.
We will, of course, continue to monitor the development of this system through the weekend. Until then, enjoy the next few days of warmer weather.
Thanks for the welcome update, Joe!
I really enjoy your forecasts and your common sense approach. I get so tired of the media “ chicken little” approach to forecasting…..social media being the main culprit.