First Posted: 1/30/2015
LIMA — A winter storm watch is now in effect from late tonight to late into Sunday evening due to a storm that began developing early Friday.
Winter Storm Linus began developing over the Southwest and will move across much of the country as we close out January and carry into Monday. Linus is expected to bring a swath of moderate snow from the Plains through the Midwest and into the Northeast.
At least two separate watches were issued for the area, according to the National Weather Service. A storm watch issued from tonight through Sunday evening — covering an area include Allen, Van Wert and Putnam counties — is expected to begin developing in the late evening Saturday with 1 to 3 inches forecast early. Snow is expected to pick up, especially into Sunday afternoon and evening. Winds are expected to gust up to 35 miles per hour, causing blowing and drifting snow. Total accumulation is expected to be 6 to 12 inches.
A separate storm watch for an area including Hardin, Mercer and Auglaize counties is calling for only slightly less snow and has been issued for tonight through Monday morning. A total of 6 to 10 inches is forecast.
The National Weather Service said the confidence level is medium to high that heavy snow will occur and hazardous driving conditions are expected. They said residents should periodically check for updates to the forecast.
The storm began developing Friday from a southward dip in the subtropical jet stream that is causing snow over the mountains of Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, as well as the adjacent southern High Plains and was expected to continue into today. Some of this subtropical, or southern branch jet stream energy and moisture may meet up with a reinforcing cold front and its polar jet stream energy diving out of the Canadian prairies this weekend.
Travel may also be impacted Sunday in the Mid-Atlantic states as well as our area and Monday in the Northeast.
The West Central Ohio Red Cross said to take the normal precautions, including wearing layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm, wearing gloves and a hat to prevent body heat loss, watching for symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite. They recommended running pipes to prevent frozen pipes and remembering to keep pets in a safe, warm location.
