Arctic blast to complicate commute

An arctic blast expected to push into southwest Ohio early this morning means many will be waking up to wind chills in the teens.

The morning commute also could include lingering slick spots from overnight snow showers that are expected to drop less than an inch across the region. Icy conditions are most likely on bridges and overpasses.

All snowfall is expected to be done before sunrise.

“We should wake up to sun and temperatures in the 20s,” Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist Jamie Simpson said. “This will be the coldest morning yet.” Simpson said this cold snap will bring the coldest temperatures the area has seen since March 21.

Temperatures will climb to a high of about 35 degrees with wind chills in the 20s by this afternoon.

It will be the first morning this season with temperatures below freezing as kids wait for the school bus. Experts at Dayton Children’s Hospital said it’s important for parents to make sure kids are dressed in warm layers when heading out this week.

They recommend avoiding cotton clothing and stick with wool or other fabrics instead. Waterproof pants and jackets are recommended as top layers because they don’t let the wetness seep into the other clothing.

Warm socks, boots, dry gloves and a hat also are essential.

Wednesday will also be chilly and clear with lows in the morning starting around 20. Afternoon temperatures will again reach the mid-30s.

Thursday will be sunny again but not quite as cold. Temperatures will start in the mid 20s and end up with a high in the mid 40s.

Friday will warm a bit more with lows int he 30s and an afternoon high in the upper 40s, but clouds will return and a few light showers are possible in the evening.

In an effort to make plows more visible on snowy roadways the Ohio Department of Transportation is adding green and white lights to existing amber lights on the state’s 1,700 snow plow trucks. Some trucks debuted the new light combination last year. Department Director Jerry Wray said last week the upgrade has been completed on 70 percent of ODOT’s fleet. All trucks will have the green, white and amber color combinations by the end of this year.

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