The latest projections for the looming winter storm show a shift that will bring it in quicker and move out faster.
The storm system likely will bring rain Thursday night with a changeover to a wintry mix sometime Friday morning, Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist Eric Elwell said.
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With the recent warmer weather, road temperatures will start out higher so the Friday morning commute is expected to be wet but not icy.
“However, conditions will likely deteriorate through the day Friday as much colder air begins to push into the region,” Elwell said. “The wintry mix will change to all snow likely around the evening commute, which could mean a mess for those heading home from work.”
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The snow is forecast to continue into Friday night and taper off early Saturday morning.
If the late-day Wednesday computer model for the storm stays on track, “the faster movement of the storm should cut back on the heavier snowfall amounts that had been originally suggested by the models,” Elwell said.
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However, there is still plenty of moisture available, and it appears much of the Miami Valley easily should pick up 3 to 6 inches of snow, said Elwell, who added that higher amounts cannot be ruled out.
“We should have a lot better idea of where the storm is heading and how fast by Thursday morning. Either way, expect a wintry mess late Friday into Saturday,” Elwell said.
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Gusty winds over 30 mph likely will create blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility and re-covering roadways late Friday night into Saturday, he said.
After a break on Sunday, our Storm Center 7 team also is watching another chance for accumulating snow for Monday with a smaller storm system.