Winter storm forecasts for up to 6 inches of snow for parts of the region were downgraded early Wednesday, with the region seeing above-freezing temperatures.
Local counties in the Southwest Ohio region have been dropped from a winter storm warning to a winter weather advisory, and Northern Kentucky counties are under a hazardous weather outlook. Most areas saw light snow and rain.
Most counties and cities also dropped previously announced snow emergencies.
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A winter weather advisory from the National Weather Service in Wilmington remains in effect until 1 p.m. for Hamilton, Butler and Warren counties.
Estimates early Wednesday called for between 1-2 inches falling in the 1-275 loop. Higher amounts were forecast toward the north and west.
Heavy, wet snow started overnight west and north of Cincinnati and the weather service cautioned drivers about slippery road conditions.
Cincinnati snow forecast
Snow accumulations of up to 3 inches are possible through 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to the weather service.
By 6 a.m. Wednesday 3 inches of snow accumulation was seen in Oxford and 1.5 inches in Mason, according to spotters reporting to the weather service.
A graphic posted by the weather service early Wednesday showed the forecast for the region within the I-275 loop was 1-2 inches.
Heavier snowfall was forecast in northwestern Hamilton and Warren counties and Butler County, where up to 3 inches was expected.
Southeast Indiana also falls with the 3-inch prediction band. Southern Northern Kentucky was forecasted to see accumulations of up to an inch.
What are road conditions like Wednesday morning?
Crews were out overnight and early Wednesday treating and clearing roads.
The temperature was above freezing at 35 degrees at 6:15 a.m., causing snow to melt in parts of the region.
Some crashes were reported, including on I-275 West at Springfield Pike about 7 a.m. and I-75 South at Cin-Day road in Butler County at about 5:30 a.m. Mostly, roads were slushy and wet by 7:30 a.m.
According to a press release from the Cincinnati Department of Public Services, city personnel operating salt trucks and snow plows reported Tuesday evening to pretreat roads and will continue to work 12-hour shifts until further notice.
During a winter weather event, the city of Cincinnati has a live snow plow tracker with an interactive map that shows where snow vehicles have already been, when a vehicle was on a particular street and the distance covered by snow vehicles since the start of the winter weather event. Here is the link to the mobile version.
You can also use the tracker to report untreated streets.
In a release from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6, which covers Northern Kentucky, officials said snow plow crews will mobilize at 11 p.m. and monitor conditions.
Schools close, call delays
Many Greater Cincinnati schools were closed, delayed or opting for remote or blended classes ahead of the storm.
Cincinnati Metro had winter weather tips for riders that included a reminder that Metro buses cannot stop on snowy or icy hills, Here are detours and alternate stops.
Upcoming weather
Here’s the five-day forecast, according to the National Weather Service:
- Thursday: Cloudy, with a high of 35 degrees and a chance of snow showers. There’s a 40 percent chance of precipitation. Temperatures will dip to 25 degrees overnight, and less than a half-inch of snow is expected.
- Friday: There’s a 20 percent slight chance of showers after 4 p.m., with a high near 38 degrees. The chance of showers ups to 30 percent overnight, likely between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high around 45 degrees. Overnight, rain is likely with a 60% chance after 1 a.m. Low of 36 degrees.
- Sunday: It’ll be cloudy and there is a 70 percent chance of precipitation (rain). Low of 26 overnight, with a 40 percent chance of precipitation.
- Monday: A high of 34 and a low of 24 at night.