'Impacts are major to extreme': Cincinnati set for record-breaking snowstorm, bitter cold

Cincinnati is set for a record-breaking snowstorm with significant snowfall and extreme cold.

"If you love snow, this is the kind of storm you have been dreaming about," said chief meteorologist John Gumm. "This is going to be a biggie."

Gumm's latest forecast of 10 to 14 inches of snow across the metro area will easily surpass the Jan. 25 record of 5.8 inches set in 2004. Areas west of I-71 could see more than a foot of snow. "14 (inches)-plus, there's a chance of that," said Gumm. "Abso-frickin-lutely, there's a chance. So the foot-plus amounts could indeed happen for Cincinnati."

Snowfall rates could reach an inch per hour on Sunday, with five to seven inches expected by morning. Heavy snow will continue through the early afternoon, tapering off by evening around the 275 loop, with a conservative estimate of 10 to 14 inches.

"Don't focus on snow amounts," said Gumm. ""The impacts are major to extreme."

TIMING

1 a.m. Sunday through 7 a.m.:

Snow gets a bit heavier. 4-6 inches of snow falls.

7 a.m. through 1 p.m.:

Snow may get a bit heavier. Rates of 1+ inches per hour are possible. 3-5 inches possible during this time.

1 p.m. through 8 p.m.:

Snow continues. Another 2-3 inches possible.

8 p.m. through 11 p.m.:

Snow ending. Flurries linger. Additional accumulations are minor.

Gumm noted, "You're gonna see other people online that are sharing model maps that show way more snow. The reason I've gone lower is not because I'm a snow Grinch, but it's because I'm worried about that warm air aloft that the model sometimes can't see. So, you know, if it looks like it's gonna be more, I'll certainly up my forecast here because I'm monitoring things all the time, but it's not gonna matter to impacts really much at all."

The storm is expected to cause major travel disruptions, with blowing snow and gusty winds worsening conditions.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until noon Monday, while a Cold Weather Advisory runs from midnight Sunday through 6 p.m. Tuesday, with wind chills expected to drop to -5 or colder. An Extreme Cold Watch is also in place from 6 p.m. Monday through noon Tuesday, with wind chills potentially reaching -15 or lower.

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