March snow coming, followed by unusual cold spell

A winter storm could dump 1 to 3 inches of snow on southwest Ohio on Sunday, followed by unseasonably cold weather about 20 degrees below normal for several days.

MORE: Winter storm set to impact the region this weekend

The U.S. and European forecast models have differed this week, making predictions regarding snowfall more difficult, according to WHIO Chief Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs. One model pushed the snow further south, the other had our area right in the path.

Vrydaghs said Saturday afternoon that she expects 1 to 3 inches of snow, starting Sunday morning and wrapping up by evening.

After that, she said, temperatures will drop, and wind chills will be near or below zero at times over the coming days.

“Conditions heading into the weekend will be quiet,” Vrydaghs said.

For today, she predicted partly cloudy skies and temperatures again reaching the lower to middle 40s.

The storm system Sunday will come from the south, bringing scattered snow showers, Vrydaghs said.

“As temperatures rise into the afternoon, some rain may mix with snow south of I-70 before transitioning back to snow,” she said.

Vrydaghs said the bulk of the snow will fall during the daytime hours, and that should mean better road conditions because surface temperatures will be above freezing.

“That makes it better for treating roads,” she said.

“After sunset, road conditions will become slick, but the snow will already have begun to taper off,” Vrydaghs said. “A few flurries or an isolated snow shower may linger around into the evening.”

Highs Sunday will reach the lower 30s, then quickly drop into the 20s after sunset, she said.

MORE: WHIO 5-day forecast

Areas to the south and east of Dayton, including Hamilton, Springboro and Wilmington, will likely have the highest snow totals.

Refreeze could be a problem into Monday morning, she said. A few morning flurries are possible with wind chills in the single digits to start the day. Clouds break for the afternoon with highs in the lower 20s.

Skies will gradually clear as cold, dry air continues to infiltrate from the northwest, she added, but on Tuesday the frigid temps will still be around.

“A very cold morning with wind chills below zero.” she said.

Partly sunny skies are expected for Tuesday afternoon with highs approaching 20 degrees, Vrydaghs said.

Wednesday’s temperatures will stay cold as highs only reach the mid-20s.

“Wind chills once again start below zero, then mostly sunny with highs in the middle 20s,” Vrydaghs said.

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