It appears that there is a glimmer of hope for trick-or-treaters on Halloween evening.
A vigorous weather system and strong cold front will bring copious rains to the Ohio valley Wednesday and Thursday. 1-2 inches of rain may accumulate in some areas, doing a number on lingering drought conditions.
Rain will be heavy at times Wednesday and Thursday, with increasing winds. However, as we near trick-or-treat time on Halloween evening, which for many areas is from 6-8 PM, the rain may begin winding down while the wind picks up.
According to this current projection, which is subject to change, steady and heavy rain will be an almost certainty through 3PM on the 31st. From 3-6 PM, rain remains likely, then reduces to just a chance after 6PM. The top graph is the wind, which is projected to be 15 mph gusting to over 30 mph.
This is a close call, and it is likely rain may be winding down but not totally ended during trick-or-treat. The most likely parts of the Cincinnati metro to dry out for trick-or-treat will be well northwest of I-71, while areas well southeast of I-71 are likely to see a continued deluge.
With the drier air, temperatures will begin to fall. While Halloween looks cool and windy, it looks like the coldest chill may hold off until a bit later. I can’t rule out a few snowflakes Halloween night, especially in west central Ohio, but no accumulation is expected.
By 7AM on November 1, All Saints Day, temperatures are forecast to be in the 30’s with a stiff breeze. Saturday and Sunday morning will likely be visited by the first killing frost of the year with temperatures falling to the upper 20’s to low 30’s.
As always, it could be worst. There is a snowstorm in Denver, CO, and snow may extend to Milwaukee, WI, by the end of the week.
