Our latest stretch of winter weather will continue tonight as snow, sleet, and freezing rain overspread the entire state of Ohio. Conditions could turn dangerous outside late tonight and early Friday morning. A Winter Weather Advisory in effect for the all of central Ohio until noon on Friday.
An area of low pressure causing severe winter weather across a large portion of the country will send a mixed bag of precipitation our way tonight. The storm will draw up warmer air from the south as it heads our direction. The temperature at several thousand feet up will increase much faster than near the ground. The resulting warm layer of air above the ground will melt snow into rain as it falls later tonight. When this occurs, the temperature at ground level will be below freezing causing the rain to freeze on contact with the ground and elevated surfaces.
Precipitation is expected to reach Cincinnati by 7 p.m. and Columbus after 11 p.m. The leading edge could be a brief snow and sleet mixture. Snow and sleet accumulation of less than half an inch will be possible. The mixture of snow and sleet will transition to all freezing rain after 1 a.m. in Columbus. Luckily, the rain will be decreasing in intensity as it moves northeast into Ohio.
Anywhere from 2 to 3 tenths of an inch of rain will fall across central Ohio tonight while the temperature is below freezing. Some of this will run off before freezing resulting in 1 to 2 tenths of an inch of ice accumulation by sunrise.
While these amounts do not typically produce widespread power outages, travel conditions can still turn treacherous. If you have plans to be on the road or walk anywhere before 9 a.m. Friday, use extra caution and plan plenty of extra time into your schedule. The morning commute could be very slick.
Southerly winds will help get the temperature above freezing between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. This will melt away any ice from overnight. As a dry slot moves into Ohio, rain will taper off and temperatures will continue to warm up. Expect highs to be in the middle 40s by late Friday afternoon.
The weekend weather is not looking too bad considering it is the end of February. Skies will range from partly to mostly cloudy on Saturday with highs in the lower 40s. Sunday will feature more sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures.
Another weather system will bring a chance for rain and snow to the area Monday. Warm air being pulled north ahead of the system will result in highs pushing 50 degrees before a big drop in the temperature Monday night. Rain will move in late in the day and mix with snow as the colder air filters back into the region.
A large upper level area of low pressure will settle across the eastern third of the country next week meaning chilly weather and scattered snow showers.
Forecast graphics are in the new “list” of photos feature both above and below this article!
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