UPDATED at 8:25 a.m. on Dec. 13 with the latest forecast of additional snow for Licking County.
With another Arctic blast heading into Ohio, it could be a rough weekend for travel in the region – especially Sunday morning as church services are beginning.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch through Sunday morning for central Ohio.
Up to 6 inches of snow could fall in some areas overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, and the temperature is expected to plummet into single digits. The forecast for Licking county calls for 1-3 inches of snow Saturday afternoon and a total accumulation by Sunday morning of up to 6 inches by Sunday. An earlier forecast called for less snow in Licking County.
|Read more: Volunteers needed to open Licking County warming center this weekend amid freezing temperatures
Licking County will also experience a low of between 5 and 10 degrees – with a wind chill value as low as 6 below zero.
“Travel could be very difficult,” the weather service said in its hazardous weather advisory.
“Persons should consider altering their travel plans,” the advisory said. “If you do plan to travel in hazardous winter conditions, consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded.”
Here’s the weekend forecast from the National Weather Service:
Saturday will be mostly cloudy with a high around 30 and a slight chance of snow in the morning, then snow in the afternoon. Snow accumulation of 4-6 inches is expected. Saturday night will be colder with lows of 5 to 10 above. Northwest winds will be 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Wind chill values as low as 6 below zero are possible after midnight. The chance of snow is 100 percent.
Sunday will be partly cloudy with highs of 15 to 20. Northwest winds are expected to be 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. The wind chill values could be as low as 8 below in the morning. Sunday night will be partly cloudy with lows around 10 above and wind chill values of 3 below zero.
Monday is expected to be partly cloudy and unseasonably cold with highs in the lower 20s. Monday night will be partly cloudy with lows between 10 and 15.
Tuesday will be partly cloudy and warmer with highs in the lower 30s and lows in the mid 20s. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy with lows in the mid 20s.
Wednesday will bring warmer temperatures. It’ll be partly cloudy with highs in the lower 40s. Wednesday evening will partly cloudy, then mostly cloudy at night with a chance of rain after midnight. Lows will be in the lower 30s, and the chance of rain is 40 percent.
Thursday will bring rain and highs in the lower 50s. The chance of rain is 80 percent. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain in the evening. Lows will be in the lower 20s.
Friday will be partly cloudy and cooler with highs in the mid 30s.