Next up is dangerous cold as area digs out from major winter storm

Arctic air brings subzero wind chills tonight into Saturday.

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

The region now must brace for a big chill after a major winter storm dropped freezing rain, sleet and record snow for some.

A Winter Weather Advisory was canceled an hour early after it was extended to 3 p.m. by the National Weather Service in Wilmington, which reported that “hazardous conditions will impact the morning and afternoon commute.” The advisory originally had been set to expire at 10 a.m. after a record-setting snowfall in some places Thursday, including the Dayton International Airport.

Skies were mostly cloudy Friday. The afternoon high was 20 degrees in Dayton, 24 in Cincinnati and 23 in Columbus.

Arctic air arrives tonight. Temperatures near zero and in the single digits tonight will result in wind chill values approaching 10 below zero, which will linger through early Saturday morning, according to the NWS.

People are urged to limit time outdoors and any skin exposure. Anyone who must be out is advised to dress in extra layers.

It will be partly sunny Saturday with a high in the lower 20s. However, with light and variable winds, the wind chill could be as low as 6 below zero during the early part of the day.

Saturday night will be mostly clear with an overnight low around 9 degrees and wind chill values near zero.

A warmup comes on Sunday, when it will be sunny with a high in the mid-30s. It will be partly cloudy Sunday night with an overnight low around 15 degrees.

Skies will be partly sunny on Monday to start the workweek, with a high near 31 degrees.

By mid-week, high temperatures are expected to reach the upper 30s.

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