History in the making? Winter storm threatens record-breaking snowfall in Cincinnati
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A powerful winter storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall to the Cincinnati area, with totals that could approach or exceed historic levels.
Chief meteorologist John Gumm said the storm is shaping up to be one of the most significant he has seen during his more than 20 years in Cincinnati.
"The modeling that we're looking at with this (storm) shows this one probably being one of the biggest ones that I've dealt with over the years," Gumm said. "Maybe not the biggest, maybe the biggest -- that remains to be seen. But at least one of the bigger ones is what we're looking at with this one."
Snow is expected to arrive in the southwestern portion of the Tri-State after 3 p.m. Saturday and become steadier by late evening. Snow is forecast to continue through most of Sunday, possibly mixing with sleet at times, before ending around 7:30 p.m. Accumulations of 9 to 12 inches are expected.
"I'm feeling good about 10-plus inches for the area," Gumm said. "Could it go above 12? Ab-so-freaking-lutely it could! That's a possibility."
Meteorologist Tera Blake said forecasts remain conservative, even as some models suggest higher totals.
"Especially for the city pointing south, we have as much as a foot possible," Blake said. "And what's crazy is that we are being conservative at a foot."
Officially in Cincinnati there's never been a foot for a one-day snowfall. The record for single-day snowfall is 11.8 inches, set Feb. 4, 1998. The city recorded 11.6 inches on Jan. 7, 1996. This storm could rival those totals, potentially making January 2026 one of the city’s most notable winter weather periods.
The city's largest two-day snowfall totals are February 4 and 5 of 1998, and January 6 and 7 of 1996. "I think those two are safe," said Blake. "But as much as 11 inches there in 1917, 1978, 1910... we could nudge in there and make January 2026 its own special spots."
"Folks always ask me, 'What about the Blizzard of 78?' Well, it wasn't much snow at all. It was the drifts in the wind," explained Gumm.
While snowfall rates could be intense at times, the storm is not expected to meet blizzard criteria because winds are forecast to remain below required thresholds.
