The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, which will take effect from 5 a.m. Monday through 5 a.m. Tuesday for Butler, Warren and Clinton counties. A winter storm advisory will be in effect for 24 hours, beginning at 5 a.m. Monday, for Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties, the NWS reported.
Monday: Counties along and south of Interstate 70 may wake up to a few flurries or a light passing snow shower.
“Currently, there is a lot of dry air at the surface, so it will take some time to moisten up the atmosphere and allow snow to make it all the way to the ground. That being said, the morning commute should be decent. It may not be until late morning or afternoon that we start to see some snowfall in the Miami Valley,” Vrydaghs said.
Snow showers will increase and will create slippery roads in the afternoon and evening. Butler, Warren and Clinton counties have the best chance to see an accumulating snow of 3 to 6 inches with a bit more closer to Cincinnati. Snow of 1 to 3 inches is possible in counties along I-70, including the Dayton metro area.
“This is a tricky forecast for two reasons: First, we are on the outer fringe of this storm. Any shift in the track north or south would drastically change the amount of snowfall we could see and how many counties would be impacted. The second factor is how cold we are going into this system. … Going into a storm with temperatures this cold will increase our snow ratios and allow for a fluffier and lighter snow, leading to higher totals.
“As of now, the evening commute will be a time when we need to monitor most with drivers headed home from work,” Vrydaghs said.
The newest model runs have hinted at a slight shift north with the outer fringe of snow. This may bring very light snow showers north of I-70, but south of U.S. 36.
Monday night, computer models show snow tapering down through the evening and ending after midnight. Clouds gradually decrease towards morning. Icy roads will still be a problem for Tuesday morning, along with temperatures in the low teens. Some spots may be colder due to the snowpack.
Tuesday: Some morning sun will give way to clouds with highs into the mid-20s.
“A cold front will bring some scattered light snow showers into the area Tuesday evening and Tuesday night,” Vrydaghs said. “Temperatures fall below zero by Wednesday morning.”
Wednesday: It will be breezy and frigid with scattered snow showers. Highs will be in the low to mid teens with wind chills below zero all day.
Thursday: Skies will be partly sunny, and it will be breezy and frigid again. Vrydaghs said she can't rule out a passing flurry or snow shower. Temperatures start below zero again, with highs reaching the upper single digits to low teens. Wind chills stay below zero.
Friday: Another frigid start with lows below zero is expected. Winds shifting out of the south will push highs into the 20s late in the day. High pressure will deliver mostly sunny skies, but more clouds arrive into Friday night.