Monday through Wednesday Update

Early Monday morning we will get a quick inch of snow (3-7am). When the cold front comes through, wind will shift around to the northwest and gust up to 35-40mph. This will also bring a rapid drop in temperatures and result in wind chills of 10-15 below zero by morning. Roads could be quite slick for the morning commute so I expect numerous school delays around Central Ohio. 

Monday afternoon and evening will feature falling temperatures and dangerous wind chills. By the afternoon a WIND CHILL WARNING goes into effect for wind chills ranging from minus 25 to minus 40! This will stay in effect until Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday will be the coldest day of the year thus far, with air temperature struggling to get above zero in the afternoon and lows of 10-20 below zero. In fact, one model shows us going as low as minus 24! If that were to verify, then Columbus Ohio would set a new ALL TIME record low which is currently minus 22 set in 1994. 

For Tuesday night and Wednesday a WIND CHILL WATCH will take over and will likely be upgraded to a warning as we get closer in time. This watch is in effect for wind chills as low as minus 30 again Wednesday morning. This is likely to be another day that many schools decide to throw in the towel. 

By later in the week and next weekend, our temperatures will begin to moderate but will still remain below average. Another snow event appears likely for some part of Ohio by Saturday. The details still have yet to be ironed out. There are also indication that we could be in for a significant snow storm some time next week, but that is still very far out and I will continue to watch that situation. 

P.S.

Just to clarify what a wind chill is…

Wind chill is a mathematical calculation of what humans feel as a result of very cold air and gusty winds carrying away any left over heat from our body. Wind chill temperatures DO NOT impact things such as cars, buildings, power lines, water or plant life. Only the actual air temperature has an effect these things. Never the less, WE are impacted by wind chill and you really do need to be careful the next three days as frostbite and hypothermia can occur in less than 15min.