Month: January 2010

The winter weather scenario has not changed.  While the winter storm watch was replaced with a winter weather advisory, this is a technical distinction and not indicative of a weakening of the storm.  Click here for advisory criteria and here for details on today’s winter weather.

Of note will be a several hour period in the late morning and early afternoon when snowfall rates are forecast to be one inch per hour or more and visibilities could briefly fall to near zero.

A winter storm watch is in effect for the Cincinnati tri-state area.  Details here.  The accumulation forecast is a bit tricky due to some complex dynamics and amounts may taper some from west to east. 

However, this storm is a near certainty with 6 inches possible in Indiana and 2-4 inches likely east of the metro area.  In Cincinnati:

• Snow should begin before dawn with light accumulations by morning rush hour.
• The heaviest snow is likely in the midday and early afternoon hours. By evening there should be 3 or 4 inches in the city with another inch or two possible into Friday.
• Snow will taper later but continue and become showery overnight.
• Arctic air will stream in on the back side of the storm combining snow showers with blowing snow and low wind chills.
• Expect very bad driving Thursday, worsening as the day progresses.  Conditions may still be bad but improving Friday morning.
• Expect a very cold weekend, including the Bengals playoff game, with warming next week, possibly above freezing by Tuesday.

A weather system could bring accumulating snow later this week, followed by another blast of arctic air.  Details here.