CINCINNATI (WXIX) – A “major” winter storm is expected to pummel the Tri-State this weekend with heavy snow, sleet, and dangerously cold temperatures, according to the FOX19 NOW First Alert Weather Team.
Due to the impactful weather that will bring extended hazardous driving conditions, the weather team has declared First Alert Weather Days Friday through Monday morning.
The First Alert Weather Days coincide with a Winter Storm Warning issued for the entire Tri-State from 10 a.m. Saturday until noon Monday.
At least 8 inches of snow is expected for the entire Tri-State Area this weekend.(WXIX)Friday forecast for the weekend: 8-12 inches of snow expected for the Tri-State Area.(WXIX)
A Cold Weather Advisory is also in effect 6 p.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Tuesday. Wind chills will drop as low as -15 Friday.
At this point, 8 to 12 inches of snow is anticipated Saturday afternoon through late Sunday, according to the weather team.
Sleet with a tenth of an inch of ice is also possible.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute,” the Winter Storm Warning says.
The winter storm headed to the Tri-State isn’t just bringing snow. People can expect slick roads and bitter cold temperatures.(WXIX)
First Alert Weather Resources
TIMELINE
Friday
This will be the last day to run errands and grocery shop before the snow arrives.
Conditions will quickly turn frigid.
A powerful cold front will move into the region early Friday, according to the weather team.
The high of 20 degrees will slide into the single digits with sub-zero wind chills as soon as Friday afternoon.
The Tri-State will stay in the deep freeze for the next several days.
Daytime highs will be in the teens with overnight lows in the single digits.
In fact, it will be at least a week before thermometers rise above freezing and sub-zero wind chills are here to stay through at least Tuesday.
The Tri-State’s “feels like” temperatures will drop dramatically compared to last week’s.(WXIX)Here’s a timeline of when the snow is expected to start.(WXIX)
Saturday
Saturday will start dry and very cold with snow moving up from the south by mid-to-late afternoon, according to the weather team.
Roads will be clear Saturday morning, but quickly become snow-covered in the afternoon with the most likely arrival window between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Everyone will see several inches of snow, and some areas, especially south and east, could see substantially more.
As of now, the heaviest snow looks to be late Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Eight to 12 inches of snow is expected with some freezing and sleet possible, the weather team says.
Travel will definitely be impacted by hazardous road conditions.
To be safe, the weather team advises staying home and off the roads if possible Saturday night and Sunday.
If you do plan on driving, definitely consider taking a winter storm kit in your vehicle.
These kits should include items such as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing.
Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded.
Sunday
Expect extremely bad travel conditions on Sunday across the Tri-State, according to the weather team.
By Sunday morning, most communities will have at least three to five inches, with the worst of the storm still ongoing.
How long the snow persists during the day will depend on the exact track of the storm, they say.
A big factor that will determine how much snow blankets the Tri-State depends on how much Gulf moisture feeds into this storm.
Heavy snow, limited visibility, and snow-covered roads are expected throughout Sunday.
Sunday is when the sleet is expected to arrive for most of the region.
Most of the Tri-State will also see a tenth of an inch of ice, essentially a light glaze, according to the weather team.
The dangerous, slippery coating with the snow will create hazardous driving conditions and coat roads, bridges, and sidewalks with a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice.
While not usually causing widespread power outages, this does make travel extremely treacherous.
Snow will begin to taper late Sunday night into early Monday morning.
Monday
Expect to have issues on the roads on Monday morning, according to the weather team.
School closings and delays are likely.
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