Ohio wakes up under a piercing Arctic grip this morning. Breath hangs in the air, sidewalks crunch, and the cold feels instant and unforgiving.
Temperatures in the Cincinnati metro sit near 5 below zero early today. Light winds still push wind chills close to 20 below, triggering a Cold Weather Advisory through late morning. Frostbite can occur in under 30 minutes on exposed skin. Limit outdoor time and cover hands, face, and ears.
Skies turn partly sunny as the day wears on, but warmth remains elusive. Highs only recover to around 20 degrees. Any sunshine does little more than brighten frozen pavement. Bridges, ramps, and shaded stretches along I-71 and I-75 remain slick from refreeze. Drivers should expect reduced traction during early travel.
Cold holds steady tonight. Temperatures fall back near 3 degrees, setting the stage for another round of flash freezing. Melted snow refreezes quickly after sunset, especially on sidewalks and neighborhood streets.
Friday brings a slight improvement. Highs approach 19 degrees with partial sun. An isolated snow shower is possible late, though impacts look minor for now. Still, even brief snow can create icy patches given the cold ground.
Saturday offers the best break. Sunshine pushes highs near 15 degrees, though it stays brisk. Saturday night turns colder again, with lows near 1 degree.
Sunday trends brighter and milder by comparison. Highs reach the low 20s, easing stress on pipes and roads. Clouds return Sunday night, but major snow appears unlikely at this time.
Meteorologists continue tracking a prolonged cold pattern across the Midwest. With the Great Lakes largely frozen, cold air drains south efficiently. That keeps winter hazards elevated, even during dry periods.
Bundle up today. Plan extra travel time this morning. Keep winter kits ready.
Five-Day Outlook for Cincinnati, OH
- Today: Partly sunny, extreme cold, high near 20°F
- Friday: Partly sunny, high near 19°F
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high near 15°F
- Sunday: Sunny, high near 23°F
- Monday: Mostly cloudy, high near 29°F
