Ohio – Frost coats cars, breath hangs in the air, and sidewalks crunch underfoot as a sharp December Cold Snap grips the Cincinnati region early today.
A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect until late morning, with temperatures near 0°F and wind chills plunging to 5 to 15 degrees below zero. According to the National Weather Service, exposed skin can develop frostbite in as little as 30 minutes under these conditions. Anyone heading out early should dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and limit time outdoors when possible.
Roads across Cincinnati and surrounding communities remain mostly dry, but extreme cold can stiffen tires, weaken batteries, and create hidden slick spots on bridges and overpasses. Drivers on I-71, I-75, and I-275 should stay alert, especially in shaded areas where moisture may refreeze quickly.
Conditions slowly improve by midday as sunshine takes hold. Highs reach the mid-20s, easing the worst of the cold but still well below seasonal norms. Tonight stays cold, dipping near 18°F, setting up another frigid start Tuesday.
Tuesday brings a noticeable change. Skies stay sunny, and highs rebound into the upper 30s, offering brief relief. Melting during the day could create wet pavement, which may refreeze after sunset Tuesday night as lows hover near 31°F.
By Wednesday, temperatures climb further into the low 40s under partly sunny skies. Rain chances increase Wednesday night into Thursday, with highs Thursday near 53°F. That warm-up reduces snow risk locally, but colder air returning later this week could bring refreezing concerns after rainfall ends.
Looking toward the weekend, temperatures trend cooler again with periodic rain chances. While widespread winter storms are not expected right now, models hint at a more active winter pattern as holiday travel ramps up.
5-Day Outlook for Cincinnati, OH
- Tuesday: Sunny, high near 37°F
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, high near 43°F
- Thursday: Rain likely, high near 53°F
- Friday: Partly sunny, high near 32°F
- Saturday: Chance of rain, high near 49°F
