Honestly, if you've lived in the Queen City for more than a week, you know the drill. One day you’re wearing a light jacket at Findlay Market, and the next, you’re wondering where you stashed the heavy-duty ice scraper. Today, Friday, January 16, is basically a perfect example of that "Cincinnati shuffle."
Right now, it's a gray 40°F out there. Not terrible, right? But with a southwest wind kicking at 12 mph, the "feels like" temperature is actually hovering around 33°F. It’s that damp, heavy cold that sinks into your bones.
The Cincinnati weather 7 day forecast breakdown
If you're looking at the cincinnati weather 7 day forecast, don't get fooled by today’s high of 42°F. It’s the last bit of "mild" we’re going to see for a minute. By tonight, the clouds are dropping snow showers, and the temperature is going to tank to 21°F.
Saturday is where the reality check hits.
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We’re looking at more snow showers tomorrow with a high that won't even break the freezing mark, topping out at 33°F. It’s going to be a "stay inside and order Skyline" kind of day. The wind shifts to the west at 11 mph, and by Saturday night, it clears out—which sounds nice until you realize that clear skies in January just mean all the heat escapes. We’re dropping to 17°F overnight.
Watching the mid-week deep freeze
Sunday stays cloudy and cold with a high of 25°F. But Monday? Monday is the kicker. Even though the sun finally decides to show up, it’s basically just for decoration.
The high for Monday, January 19, is only 20°F. The low? A bone-chilling 9°F. If you have outdoor pets or sensitive plants you haven't brought in yet, this is your warning.
Tuesday gives us another sunny but brutal day with a high of 25°F and another 9°F night. By the time we hit Wednesday, January 21, things start to "warm" back up toward 39°F, but that comes with a catch: more light snow.
Thursday wraps up the week with a mix of sun and clouds and a high of 31°F. Basically, it's a week of freezing, slightly less freezing, and then freezing again.
What's actually happening with the "Clipper"
The National Weather Service has been tracking a clipper storm moving across the Great Lakes. These things are fast, they’re dry, and they’re notorious for making the morning commute a mess.
We saw a Special Weather Statement early this morning about slick spots, and honestly, with these temperatures swinging from 42°F down to 21°F, "black ice" is the word of the week. Bridges like the Brent Spence or the Roebling always freeze first. If you’re heading across the river, just take it easy.
- Friday (Today): Cloudy, high 42°F, low 21°F. Snow showers start tonight.
- Saturday: Snow showers, high 33°F. Getting much colder.
- Sunday: Cloudy, high 25°F, low 15°F.
- Monday: Sunny but arctic. High 20°F, low 9°F.
- Tuesday: Sunny, high 25°F, low 9°F.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, high 39°F. Light snow at night.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, high 31°F, low 22°F.
Real talk: How to handle this week
The humidity is hanging around 40% to 50%, which isn't super high, but when combined with those southwest and west winds, the wind chill is going to be the real story. Monday’s 20-degree high will feel more like 5 or 10 degrees most of the day.
Most people get wrong that "sunny" means "better." In a Cincinnati winter, a clear blue sky usually means a Canadian high-pressure system is sitting right on top of us. That’s exactly what’s happening Monday and Tuesday.
If you’re planning your week, do your grocery run today or early tomorrow. Once that 9°F low hits on Monday morning, you aren't going to want to be standing in a parking lot loading bags into the trunk.
Keep an eye on the pipes if you live in one of those charming but drafty Over-the-Rhine or Northside Victorians. These sustained temperatures below 20°F are exactly when things start to freeze up. Open the cabinets under your sinks and let the air circulate.
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It's a classic Ohio Valley winter week. Stay warm, keep the salt handy for the sidewalk, and maybe double-check your antifreeze levels. We're in the thick of it now.