On Sunday, Dayton and Cincinnati set a daily rainfall record. Dayton recorded 1.65 inches of rain, which broke the old record for Dec. 29 of 1.16 inches set five years ago in 2019. Cincinnati recorded 1.16 inches, which broke the old record of 1.09 inches set nearly 115 years ago in 1910, according to NWS data.
Southwest Ohio is no longer in a drought, and other parts of Ohio have seen an improvement in conditions.
“November and December were wetter than average and able to make up those rainfall deficits,” Aiena said.
Dayton recorded 3.75 inches of rain for November, seven-tenths of an inch above normal, and 4.19 inches from Dec. 1-30, which is about 1.14 inches higher. Cincinnati received 4.76 inches in November, 1½ inches above normal, and recorded 4.4 inches from Dec. 1-30, about six-tenths above average.
While the warmer and wetter conditions are typical of a La Niña weather pattern, Aiena said the NWS Climate Prediction Center still has a La Niña Watch in effect and is reporting a neutral state. If a La Niña weather pattern emerges, it is expected to be short-lived and weak.
“We would return to neutral conditions by March to May time frame,” she said.
What is more certain is temperatures will be below normal in the first couple weeks of January.
“Within the next eight to 14 days we are looking at much colder weather,” Aiena said.
It’s not clear how much colder it will be, but normal daytime highs are in the 30s, she said.
After the first couple weeks of January above normal temperatures are expected for the rest of winter.
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