Snow exits, chilly air remains for Columbus area

QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

• Tonight: Snow showers early, low 31
• Friday: AM light mix to rain, high 43
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, high 49
• Sunday: Partly cloudy, high 52
• Monday: Rain later, high 57

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Good Thursday Evening,

It has been our first colder than normal day since late October, about 3.5 weeks ago, and our first measurable snowfall for parts of our area as well today. This actually is right on track for the first snowfall, as it typically happens in Columbus on November 21st.

This evening we are going to be watching a low tracking through Indiana, that on the eastern fringe will impact our area. This will bring periods of snow showers in the southwest quadrant of the state that could produce some minor accumulations and keep some roadways wet to slushy in the southwest. Also is this area, there could be areas of a bit gustier winds as well. After this exits, we will remain mainly cloudy with lows in the upper 20s to lower 30s, just below normal for this time of the year.

Friday the larger low to the north, will pivot southeast mainly near I-77 and east, but will sling moisture down on the western side of it into our area. Initially, with cooler temps in the morning, we could have some light wet mix early, but then as temps start to warm a touch, this should transition to mainly just cold rain showers. These will slowly swing off to the east and leave us with mainly cloudy skies later.

Temps will climb into the lower 40s during the late daytime hours, and basically hover in that range overnight into Saturday. Saturday should be a drier day, with mostly cloudy conditions, but temps warmer into the upper 40s to near 50, which is normal for this weekend. Sunshine will return on Sunday with highs in the lower 50s.

We will see rain returning later on Monday with highs in the upper 50s. A cold front will swing through Monday night, with temps falling back to the middle to lower 40s on Tuesday with clearing skies. Clouds will increase again on Wednesday with highs in the lower 40s.

Unfortunately, it appears that Thanksgiving Thursday will have rain showers back into the forecast, with temps in the middle 40s.

-Dave