More snow is coming on Friday, then a gradual warm-up for Christmas next week

Snow is on the horizon for the Greater Cincinnati area.

According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, widespread rainfall is expected during the first half of the day on Wednesday. Temperatures drop to over 20 to under 30 degrees in the morning, especially in rural, sheltered areas.

Elevated surfaces such as bridges, trees, railings and cars may remain near or below freezing. While this shouldn’t cause widespread travel problems, there may be isolated slippery spots during the morning commute if there is constant sleet or snowfall.

Rain is expected to continue into the afternoon before drier and colder conditions return by Thursday. Temperatures will drop into the mid 20s to lower 30s overnight and then rise back into the mid 30s to lower 40s Thursday afternoon.

Light snow is expected during the day Friday, with smaller accumulations of about an inch or less depending on the severe weather forecast. Areas north of Interstate 70 will be just above freezing Friday and areas near the Ohio River will reach mid to upper 30s. But wind gusts of up to 20 miles per hour mean it will be colder.

Some slippery patches may be possible Friday through Friday evening. According to the report, wet surfaces may refreeze overnight if temperatures drop well below freezing.

The region will remain dry, although cold, on Saturday and Sunday, with daytime highs in the upper 20s to lower 30s and overnight lows in the teens, possibly even single digits north of I-70. Warmer air will slowly build back into the Ohio Valley region during the first half of next week, with rain chances returning by Christmas Eve.

Detailed 7-day weather forecast for Cincinnati

Wednesday: Rain, mainly before midday. High near 44. Light and variable wind becoming north at 5 to 8 mph in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch are possible.

Wednesday evening: Cloudy, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high around 41 degrees. Calm wind blowing south at about 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday evening: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30°C. Calm wind.

Friday: Rain and snow. High near 37. Light and variable wind becoming west at 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Wind gusts could reach up to 20 miles per hour. The chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Friday evening: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24°C.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 34.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 32.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high of around 42°C.

Tuesday (Christmas Eve): There is a chance that it will rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 44 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

Source: National Weather Service, Wilmington.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Weather: There will be more snow on Friday, but will there be a white Christmas?