dangerous winter storm for OH Valley

[WXBUFFJIM]

Good Wednesday everyone. Huge problems to talk about in the Ohio Valley points south and west into the ArklaTex area and into the Red River of Texas where wintry precipitation is already occurring. The area of greatest concern with this winter storm will likely be across eastern Indiana and into western Ohio where some of the highest snowfall totals are likely with this.

A frontal boundary is presently stalled over the Tennessee Valley. Warm air continues to override denser colder surface temperatures over the Ohio Valley. Moisture continues to advect in from the Gulf Of Mexico into this colder air producing the current heavy snow across parts of Ohio and Indiana. Dayton, Ohio recently reported a temperature of 21 degrees with heavy snow and freezing fog, visibility is 1/4 mile.

The next bigger problem occurs later tonight into Thursday as a strong upper disturbance currently over the Red River of Texas tracks north and east towards eastern central Kentucky and into eastern Ohio and forms a vigorous surface low in the process. This will help to keep the heavy snow in place and also result in stronger winds tonight into Thursday. This means blowing and drifting snow and possibly near whiteout conditions later tonite into tomorrow for Ohio and Indiana.

Checking out snow accumulation, this could be an historic snowstorm. Dayton, Ohio recorded 12.2 inches of snow during a 24 hour period back on January 26, 1978. This was the highest 24 hour total ever in Dayton, Ohio. This storm has the potential to become historic and possibly one for the record books for the buckeye state. Note the higher totals for the Cleveland area due to the lake enhancement that takes place through Thursday night into Friday morning. A few localized areas could even exceed 2 feet of snow with this snowstorm. It's one for the record books in the Ohio Valley.

DAYTON, OH today: 6-10" Thursday: 6-10" Total Accumulation: 12-20"
Mansfield, OH: today: 5-8" Thursday: 7-12" Total Accumulation: 12-20"
Cleveland, OH: today: 4-8" Thursday: 10-16" Total Accumulation: 14-24"


Currently with the upper cold pocket aloft, It's now snowing in Fort Worth, TX and Dallas is experiencing the beginnings of a changeover from rain to snow. A snow advisory is up for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex where 2-3 inches of snow is likely today. Areas near the Red River including Wichita Falls could experience a 3-6" snowfall. This is what will cripple the Ohio Valley tonight into Thursday. Best advice in west central Ohio, eastern Indiana, and southeastern lower Michigan is to stay off the roads tonight through Thursday night since some interstates could be impassible altogether. A very dangerous situation potentially on the way.

[dawgpound]

Have about 4" in N/C Ohio along Interstate 71. Moderate snowfall at this time.

[wthrmilagro]

Have about 4" in N/C Ohio along Interstate 71. Moderate snowfall at this time.

you guys in the OH are getting hammered. Yikes

[beachbummer]

Sister just called from Southern Indiana...scott co... 9 inches of the white stuff

[wthrmilagro]

Sister just called from Southern Indiana...scott co... 9 inches of the white stuff

WOW. I will keep them in my prayers to stay warm.

[wx247]

What is even worse... is that when the system clears out... lows will fall to below zero, more specifically, as low as -17º or so.

[Scorpion]

My type of weather . I should have come to visit family there this Christmas.

[Dave C]

Mike Seidel is doing live shots from Dayton, should be up to his waist by Thursday pm LOL

[Miss Mary]

I feel a road trip coming on to Dayton.....

.......just kidding. Local stations are covering this storm so thoroughly, I've hardly turned on TWC! This is a first.

Mary

[CINCINNATISUN]

I've been impressed with the local coverage too, they're doing a good job so far.

CSUN

[streetsoldier]

"White-out" here in the Bootheel (Cape Girardeau/Sikeston MO); advisories until 0600 23 DEC 04.

Advisory states that anyone leaving their house is risking their life (!...I have not seen a warning like this since I lived in Fargo ND).

All Interstates in the area are closed, "no travel" warnings also issued.

WHICH one of you ordered this %$(&^@#!

[Miss Mary]

Steve - I too have been very impressed with local coverage of this storm. And as I might have guessed, one local station stands very tall in reporting actual info viewers need - Channel 12. Jeremy/therock....if you're reading this please relay to Steve Hortsmeyer (Local superb Met!) that his station didn't give us the 'fluff' as I like to call it. Repeatedly we heard this morning what specific counties are under Level 3 Emergencies, and the definition of a Level 3, etc. They didn't have employees out in the parking lot, showing us how they got stuck at such and such road. That was another station - ugh. That other station used silly terms to explain info we really need to know! But I'm serious, whoever is in charge at Channel 12, is doing an excellent job. So professional, so thorough. If I had an old, barely operating TV that I had to bang to get going, I'd make sure it was tuned to 12!

Mary