Area gets first snowfall over 2 inches all winter; 50-degree days return Tuesday

In the first 15 days of February, Dayton had zero measurable snow, with more days over 50 degrees than under that marker
Multiple inches of snow fell Friday evening. Feb. 16, 2024 in Butler County. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Multiple inches of snow fell Friday evening. Feb. 16, 2024 in Butler County. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

The Miami Valley got its largest snowfall of the 2023-24 winter on Friday, with much of the area getting 3-5 inches.

Totals reported to the National Weather Service on Friday night included 3.25 inches in Moraine, 3.9 inches on the Dayton-Oakwood border, 4.25 inches in Phillipsburg and 5.1 inches outside Greenville.

Multiple locations in the Columbus area reported 6-7 inches of snow.

Winter very mild so far

Before Friday, February had forgotten it was supposed to be winter at all in the Miami Valley. In the first 15 days of the month, Dayton had more days over 50 degrees than under — the daily high temperature was never lower than 46, and the overnight low was never colder than 26, according to the National Weather Service.

For comparison, the area’s historical average highs and lows are 38/21 on Feb. 1, and 41/24 on Feb. 16.

Dayton also had zero measurable snow in the first 15 days of February. Heading into Friday, there had only been one snowfall of more than 1.5 inches all winter — Jan. 18-19, when the National Weather Service measured 2.6 inches at the airport.

Workers have to remove snow from their cars Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 before going home.  MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

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Upcoming forecast

If you like the cold and snow, enjoy it while it lasts, because it won’t be here long. After high temperatures in the mid-20s on a sunny Saturday, the National Weather Service was forecasting a gradual warm-up.

Sunday through Wednesday are all supposed to be sunny days, with the daytime highs gradually marching higher — 38 on Sunday, followed by 46, 52 and 57 the next three days.

No precipitation is in the forecast until possible rain on Thursday.

The snow Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 partially obscures two people as they cross Fountain Avenue in downtown Springfield. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

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Credit: Bill Lackey

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