The Midwest is prepared for another bout with Old Man Winter, with forecasts highlighting three major concerns: frigid mornings, coming snow, and bone-chilling temperatures on the way. According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio, some regions of southeast Indiana, southern Ohio, and northern Kentucky should be prepared to shovel up to three inches of snow by Tuesday evening.
Monday’s weather forecast calls for “another bitter morning with some very light snow possible today,” but that is only the beginning of what is to come. Forecasters predict that Tuesday will bring additional snowfall, affecting the everyday sparkle of transit and the stillness of schoolyards. While locations north of Dayton to Columbus may get less fluff and power outages of up to an inch, cities such as Wilmington and Indianapolis should prepare for heavier, isolated snowfalls.
According to the NWS prediction discussion, a shortwave will pass over the area today, resulting in a north-south aligned band of light snow. The silver lining for those who do not enjoy wintry mixes is that “moisture into the DGZ decreases” after this band passes, which may result in “a period of freezing drizzle for a couple of hours.”
On Thursday and Friday, another system, a clipper, is scheduled to pass across the region. However, there are still doubts concerning the specific implications. Not to split hairs, but forecasts appear to agree on one thing: “the next blast of bitterly cold temperatures” should come and hit hard. With a freezing encore, the freeze is expected to drop temperatures to the single digits, so prepare for another weekend dressed in fleece. All that being said, rising temperatures into the following workweek bring a much-needed light at the end of this bleak tunnel.
For those with wings, the sky may not appear to be kindly. The NWS forecast predicts “MVFR to IFR ceilings” that will last through Tuesday night, with light snow potentially obscuring visibility. The recommendation for pilots is to stay on course and keep an eye on the ever-changing skies.