Will we see white Christmas weather?

By Aaron Wilson, Ohio State University Extension

Precipitation has increased a bit across the state in recent weeks, ending what was a very dry stretch this fall. Observations indicate 1.5-2 inches have fallen across NW Ohio and in couties just to the southeast of about I-71. Still, about 73% of the state is in abnormally dry to moderate drought according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. Temperatures overall are averaging about normal across the southern half of the state and 1 to 3 degrees F above average across the north, with the typical late fall oscillation between mild and chilly air. For the latest up-to-date conditions, seasonal outlooks, and monthly climate summaries, please visit the State Climate Office of Ohio.

The first in a series of storms this week will be on-going Tuesday morning. Periods of rain showers are expected across the state through Wednesday morning then again Thursday afternoon through Friday night. Temperatures over this stretch will start out with highs in the 40s and 50s, cooling off into the 30s and 40s for the weekend. Another system will start to impact Ohio by Sunday afternoon into Monday. Overall, theWeather Prediction Center is currently forecasting 0.50 (north)-2.00 (south) of precipitation across Ohio this week.

The Climate Prediction Center’s 8-14-day outlook for the period of December  13 – 19, 2022 and the 16-Day Rainfall Outlook from NOAA/NWS/Ohio River Forecast Center have temperatures near to above normal and precipitation leaning wetter than normal. Climate averages include a high-temperature range of 42-46°F, a low-temperature range of 26-30°F, and average weekly total precipitation of 0.55-0.85 inches.