REPRIEVE FROM WIND, RAIN HERE — WILL IT LAST?
Dayton area could see some light snow, slick spots Friday morning.
Heavy rain and strong winds that led to an interstate shutdown, falling trees and power outages Wednesday will give way to dropping temperatures today and possibly slick spots for Friday morning’s commute.
Tornado watches and flash flood warnings were issued across the Miami Valley late Tuesday night and early Wednesday as winds reached near 60 mph in some places, accompanied by a downpour while Dayton Power & Light reported more than 3,500 customers without service by early morning.
Southbound Interstate 75 near Main Street was closed for a time after a semi tractor-trailer hydroplaned and jackknifed shortly after 2 a.m.
About an hour later a portion of Woodman Drive in Dayton closed because of high water, as did Factory Road in Beavercreek Twp. A fallen tree on Oakridge Drive in Dayton damaged a sport utility vehicle early Wednesday.
“I heard a big boom,” SUV owner Lita Campbell said, “and I looked outside my window and the tree was laying on top of my truck.”
More than 2,900 Shelby County DP&L customers reported power outages shortly after midnight Wednesday and 547 were without
service in Mercer County. By Wednesday afternoon, 302 Montgomery County customers and 142 others in Greene County remained without power and Dayton International Airport reported wind gusts as high as 56 mph.
Temperatures will fall today, increasing the chances of rain and light snow tonight and early Friday morning, according to StormCenter 7 Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs.
“Looking ahead, (today) and Friday morning will pale in comparison to what Miami Valley residents woke up to on Wednesday,” she said. “Thursday will be dry and uneventful, just cold with temperatures in the 30s and wind chills in teens.
“Friday is still in question with the threat of a quick moving clipper that could produce a light dusting of snow in spots Thursday night,” Vrydaghs added. “This may lead to a few isolated slick spots early Friday morning.”
Along with the drop in temperatures comes the chance for some light rain to snow showers late tonight into early Friday, she said. Light accumulation is possible north of I-70, but not more than an inch is to be expected.
Friday morning will be the coldest of the week with temperatures in the 20s to start and wind chills in the teens, Vrydaghs said. Temperatures go up from there as highs are expected to reach to near 50 degrees Saturday and near 60 on Sunday.
It is expected to be “much quieter” throughout the weekend as high pressure builds back into the region, she said.