Cincinnati, Ohio – A powerful Arctic air mass is settling across the Ohio Valley, locking in a prolonged stretch of dangerous winter cold expected to last through the end of January and into early February. Temperatures are plunging this weekend, with overnight lows dropping sharply across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and parts of West Virginia, and daytime highs struggling to recover.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the pattern from Jan. 27 through early February strongly favors much below normal temperatures across the Ohio Valley. This Arctic outbreak is part of a larger national cold surge driving extreme subzero air across the Upper Midwest, while pushing bitter cold deep into the central and eastern U.S.
The most immediate concern across the Ohio Valley is the combination of extreme cold and wintry precipitation. Snow, sleet, and freezing rain are possible at times this weekend, creating slick travel on I-70, I-71, I-64, I-75, I-65, and secondary roads. Rapid temperature drops raise the risk of icy bridges, frost quakes, frozen pipes, vehicle failures, and increased strain on power and heating systems.
While brief temperature moderation may occur at times, no sustained warm-up is expected before Feb. 2. Officials urge residents to limit outdoor exposure, avoid unnecessary travel during icy periods, protect exposed plumbing, and monitor updates closely as additional winter weather advisories and cold alerts may be issued while this Arctic pattern remains entrenched across the Ohio Valley.
