Honestly, if you stepped outside in Cincinnati today, you already know the vibe. It’s that biting, grey kind of cold that makes you question why we live in the Midwest during January.
Right now, it's sitting at a crisp 27°F. But the thermometer is a liar. With the wind kicking up from the west at 10 mph, the real feel is actually 17°F. It’s the kind of air that finds the one gap in your scarf and makes itself at home.
We’ve been dealing with a stubborn blanket of clouds all day. Earlier this afternoon, we hit a high of 36°F, which felt almost luxurious compared to what’s coming. Basically, we’re in the middle of a classic Ohio "clipper" pattern. The National Weather Service in Wilmington has been tracking this system as it slides across the Great Lakes, bringing those annoying bursts of light snow and gusty winds that make the I-75 commute a gamble.
The Cincinnati Forecast: Why the Humidity Matters
People talk about "dry cold," but Cincinnati doesn't really do that. Our humidity is currently hovering around 58%. That moisture in the air makes the cold feel heavier—it clings to you.
Tonight’s Outlook: Don't Let the "Partly Cloudy" Label Fool You
As we head deeper into the night, the temperature is going to tank. We’re looking at a low of 15°F.
While the sky might clear up a bit to become partly cloudy, that’s actually bad news for your morning commute. Without cloud cover to trap what little heat we gathered today, the ground is going to freeze solid. If you’re heading out late, there’s a 15% chance of snow overnight. It’s not a blizzard, but in this city, a dusting is all it takes to turn the hills into a skating rink.
- Current Temperature: 27°F
- Wind Chill: 17°F
- Overnight Low: 15°F
- Wind Speed: 10-11 mph from the West
What's Actually Happening with the Snow?
The chance of precipitation today peaked at 20% during the daylight hours. You might have seen some flurries while watching the Bearcats pull off that massive 79-70 upset against No. 2 Iowa State at Fifth Third Arena.
It was a hell of a game, by the way. Day Day Thomas was playing like the floor wasn't freezing outside. But while the fans were inside celebrating, the wind was busy dropping the "feels like" temp into the teens.
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The UV index is a flat 0. You won't need sunscreen, obviously, but you might need some Vitamin D. It’s been a grey stretch. According to the historical data from Lunken Airport, this January has been pretty typical—lots of "trace" snowfall and overcast skies. We aren't seeing the record-breaking -21°F we hit back in 1977, but 15°F is plenty cold for most of us.
Actionable Steps for the Next 24 Hours
You’ve got to be smart about the next few hours. The "Hazardous Weather Outlook" from the NWS isn't just for show.
1. Check your tire pressure. Cold air makes your tires lose pressure. A drop from 36°F to 15°F is enough to trigger that annoying dashboard light. Take five minutes to check them before you head to work Monday morning.
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2. Watch the wind chill on Monday.
While today is cold, the real "dangerously cold" wind chills are slated to arrive early next week. Tonight is the dress rehearsal. If your pipes are prone to freezing, maybe leave a drip going. It’s better than a flooded basement.
3. Salt your walkways tonight. With that 15% chance of overnight snow and temperatures dropping well below freezing, any melt from earlier today will turn into a sheet of black ice. Don't be the person who slips getting the mail tomorrow morning.
Honestly, the best move is to stay in. Grab a 3-way, find a blanket, and wait for the sun to show up again. Whenever that might be.
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The humidity is expected to stay around 61% through the night, so expect a damp, bone-chilling frost on your windshield. If you don't have your ice scraper in the car yet, find it now. You’re going to need it at 7:00 AM when that 15°F low really starts to bite.