Columbus weather forecast: Wintry mix will bring slippery travel early Monday
Quick Forecast
A developing storm will track east across the southern Plains to the Tennessee Valley, with a swath of accumulating snow from the southern Rockies to the Ohio Valley.
Snow will break out across central Ohio and spread quickly north to the US 30 corridor by midnight. Expect several inches of snow on the ground by the Monday morning commute — heaviest near and just south of the I-70 corridor.
Weather Discussion
A dry Sunday provided an opportunity to do some holiday shopping. The scenery has changed as snow blankets lawns and light displays, and creates potential travel difficulties heading into the Monday morning commute.
High pressure across the Great Lakes is feeding a stream of cold air south into the Ohio Valley, with temperatures in the low 30s.
RELATED: Central Ohio counties issues Level 1 snow emergencies
A multiphase storm emerging from the southern Plains is meeting up with the shallow wedge of cold air, inducing snow overnight, mixed with freezing rain in southern Ohio. Accumulations will range from 1 to 3 inches, heaviest near and a little south of the I-70 corridor.
The bulk of the first round of moisture will be through the Columbus area by daybreak, with some spotty freezing drizzle tapering off by mid-morning.
A primary wave of low pressure will track from the Tennessee Valley to the upper Ohio Valley Monday night into Tuesday, with rain developing Monday night and turning to snow before ending Tuesday. Another 1 to 2 inches of snow will make travel slick for the Tuesday morning commute.
Colder air will pour in behind the exiting system, followed by a very cold midweek.
Sunday Night: Snow, accumulating 1 to 3 inches by dawn, changing to a wintry mix south. Low 30
Monday: Light mix, slick roads early, mainly dry until evening. High 38
Monday Night: Mix of rain and snow, turning to snow (1 to 2 inches). Low 29
Tuesday: Snow tapering to flurries a.m, some clearing p.m.. High 34
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, brisk, colder. High 29 (19)
Thursday: Sunny. High 37 (20)
Friday: Some clouds, milder. High 41 (26)
Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High 41 (29)