The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a Winter Storm Watch for parts of western Ohio and east-central Indiana, where several inches of snow might fall this weekend. The watch is in force from Saturday morning to Sunday morning, and forecasters warn of potentially hazardous travel conditions.
The National Weather Service predicts 3 to 5 inches of snow in Mercer County, Darke County, and Wayne County, Indiana, as a developing storm system moves through the area Saturday morning. Snow is predicted to mix with rain at times, particularly Saturday evening, causing forecast uncertainty about exact accumulation amounts.
The NWS warns that the rain-snow border will be near to the alert region overnight Saturday, so totals may vary dramatically over short distances. Those that remain completely snowy may reach the upper end of the expected range, but those with more mixing may experience less. Regardless of totals, forecasters say slippery roads and limited visibility will likely disrupt travel Saturday night and early Sunday.
In their larger Hazardous Weather Outlook, the NWS mentions the possibility of two waves of wintry weather:
- Saturday–Sunday: Primary system bringing a rain–snow mix with accumulating snow.
- Monday night–Tuesday: Another chance for wintry precipitation, with additional snow accumulation possible.
The outlook includes a large area, encompassing central, southwest, and west-central Ohio, southeast Indiana, and northern Kentucky; however, the present Winter Storm Watch is limited to the three core counties along the IN-OH border.
Residents are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts and prepare for potential winter travel impacts beginning early Saturday.