Update, 6:30 p.m.: According to the National Weather Service, the Greater Cincinnati region is now more likely to receive at least 6 inches of snow over the next few days.
The Wilmington office posted a map on X Friday afternoon showing a 76% chance Cincinnati will receive six inches or more of snow between 7 a.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Tuesday.
This represents a more than 20% increase in probability from previous predictions. The agency predicted a 52% chance of this much snow in Cincinnati on Friday morning, but only between Friday and Monday.
“Forecasts for the winter storm continue to evolve, with the latest forecast shifting south with the highest totals,” the weather service stated on X.
Forecasts for the winter storm continue to evolve with the latest forecast shifting south with the highest totals. Mixed precipitation remains a possibility, adding additional uncertainty. Given the uncertainty, the winter storm watch remains unchanged this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/RtBRcYpgrL
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) January 3, 2025
“Mixed precipitation remains a possibility, adding uncertainty,” the agency said. “Given the uncertainty, the winter storm watch remains unchanged this afternoon.”
The amount of snow that the Greater Cincinnati region may experience has also increased. Greater Cincinnati, which includes the northern suburbs and Northern Kentucky, could see 5 to 9 inches of snow from Sunday morning to Monday evening, according to the weather service on Friday afternoon.
This is an increase over previous forecasts that predicted Cincinnati would receive 4 to 8 inches of snow.
Ice accumulations of up to a tenth of an inch are possible.
Update at 4:15 p.m.: The Greater Cincinnati region is continuing to prepare for the winter storm that is expected to bring heavy snow by the end of the weekend.
The city of Wyoming announced on social media Friday afternoon that crews will be plowing and salting the streets once the storm hits. The city also asks residents to move their vehicles off the streets if possible so that crews can work safely.
Crestview Hills, Kentucky, has declared a snow emergency for all city streets, effective at noon Sunday and lasting until 8 p.m. Monday. The city stated that all vehicles must be removed from the streets by the start time of the emergency.
As of 4 p.m. Friday, all of southwest Ohio, southeast Indiana, and Northern Kentucky remained under a winter storm watch, which is expected to last until Monday evening. 4 to 8 inches of snow is expected.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington, however, stated that the watch will most likely be upgraded to a winter storm warning within the next 24 to 30 hours.
It is likely that at least a portion of the current area under a Winter Storm Watch will be transitioned to a Winter Storm Warning at some point within the next 24-30 hours. With this in mind, it's important to know the difference and what they mean for you. pic.twitter.com/jRLeQpBQaj
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) January 3, 2025
The Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency encourages people to sign up for its system, which it describes as “the best way to receive important information about hazards that may impact your safety.” To register, go to AlertHC.org.
Update, 10:13 a.m.: Villa Hills, in Kenton County, has declared a snow emergency for Sunday morning due to the possibility of inclement winter weather over the weekend and early next week.
“This emergency declaration will assist public works crews with snow removal and combat the hazards from the residential streets and roadways,” the Villa Hills Police Department wrote on Facebook.
Police said that once the snow emergency is declared, officers will begin issuing citations and removing vehicles from roadways.
Some Greater Cincinnati businesses have already closed due to the expected winter weather.
The Anderson Ferry, which transports commuters across the Ohio River between Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati’s West Side, announced on Friday that it would be closed until further notice due to wind.
Update 8:39 a.m.: The National Weather Service in Wilmington says total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and ice accumulations of 1/4 inch are possible Sunday through Monday.
Previous reporting: On Friday, the National Weather Service in Wilmington issued a winter storm watch for Greater Cincinnati, citing a potentially harsh system expected to hit the area on Sunday.
The winter storm watch will be in effect from Sunday until Monday evening in Hamilton, Clermont, Butler, and Warren counties in Ohio, Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties in Kentucky, and Dearborn, Franklin, Switzerland, and Ohio counties in Indiana.
Heavy mixed precipitation is possible. Forecasters predict total snow accumulations ranging from 5 to 10 inches, as well as ice accumulations of up to a tenth of an inch.
The ice could cause power outages and tree damage. Forecasters add that travel may be nearly impossible due to hazardous conditions during the Monday morning and evening commutes.
Snow will fall across the area Friday morning, ahead of the upcoming storm. So far, the accumulation appears to be less than an inch. As a cold front moves through, the snow will gradually stop by mid-morning.
However, there may be some slick spots on area roads during the morning commute, particularly on bridges and overpasses. Motorists should exercise caution on Friday morning.
Temperatures on Friday will range from the mid-20s in the northwest to around 30 degrees in the southeast, with wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph.
On Saturday, temperatures are expected to be dry but cold, with highs in the 20s. Precipitation is expected to return as early as Sunday morning and last through Monday, with snow being the primary precipitation type throughout the day. By Monday evening, the snowfall will have subsided.
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for most of our counties for the Sunday/Monday system. There is increasing confidence that a swath of significant snow totals is expected, along with a wintry-mix that could result in ice accums near/south of the OH River. Stay tuned for more! pic.twitter.com/Ppi9aT1fVs
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) January 3, 2025
How much snow will Cincinnati get this weekend?
The NWS predicts that Cincinnati will receive about 6 inches of snow Sunday through Monday. However, the city could receive up to 9 inches on the high end.
As of 6:42 a.m. Friday, Cincinnati has a 95% chance of receiving at least two inches of snow this weekend. Cincinnati has a 52% chance of receiving the predicted 6 inches of snow, with a 23% chance of getting up to 8 inches.
Greater Cincinnati ice accumulation totals
The Cincinnati area is expected to receive over a tenth of an inch of total ice accumulation.
Detailed 7-day Cincinnati weather forecast
Friday: A chance of snow before 7 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Northwest wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low of around 18. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 29. West wind 6 to 8 mph.
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 19. Calm wind.
Sunday: Snow before 4 p.m., then snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 29. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no ice accumulation is expected. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible.
Sunday night: Snow and freezing rain. Low of around 24. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch is possible. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible.
Monday: Snow likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. The chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 21.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 20.
