Wilmington, Ohio – Snow and spotty ice will overspread southwest and central Ohio before daybreak Monday, creating slick ramps and reduced visibility along I-71 and I-75 in time for the 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will move in between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. Monday. Most communities from Dayton to Columbus and south toward Cincinnati can expect 1 to 2 inches of snow, with isolated totals approaching 3 inches. Farther south near the Ohio River, minor ice accumulations up to 0.10 inch are possible.
Road conditions will deteriorate quickly on elevated surfaces, including bridges and overpasses along I-70, US-35 and I-275. Even light ice accretion can create hazardous travel, especially where sleet mixes in and compacts under traffic. Crews across Montgomery, Greene, Clinton and Franklin counties will treat primary highways, but untreated secondary roads may remain slick through midmorning.
Cincinnati and Portsmouth face the highest ice risk, while Dayton and Springfield are more likely to see primarily snow. Columbus could experience a mix, depending on surface temperatures hovering near freezing.
Drivers should reduce speed, increase following distance and avoid sudden braking. Allow extra time for the morning commute and check for school or transit delays. Precipitation will taper late Monday morning, but slushy conditions may linger into early afternoon before gradual improvement. Additional advisories could be issued if ice totals trend higher before 11 a.m. Monday.
