The New Year is expected to bring in similar weather as the Mid-Ohio Valley has been experiencing the past week with a little more snow and cooler temperatures, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston, W.Va.
"A system is expected to move in Monday evening from the west and head farther east out of the area by Tuesday," said Jeff Hovis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston. "With this we are expecting less than an inch of snow, but that could sneak up to an inch or so."
To be prepared no matter how much snow falls, the cities of Belpre and Parkersburg have salt trucks loaded and road crews on stand-by, officials said.
"We have a truck loaded up and ready to go with an adequate supply of salt waiting for us," said Rick Lemley, public works director for Parkersburg. "We are ready for whatever comes."
Belpre Mayor Mike Lorentz had the same sentiments for his city.
"We have already been out pre-treating the hills and have crews lined up and ready to be called if things are needed," Lorentz said. "We were out twice this weekend and know this won't be the last time this winter we will be needing salt and snow plows."
Because of the 2011-2012 mild winter, both Parkersburg and Belpre have an adequate supply of salt, said Lemley and Lorentz.
"Thanks to last year's easy winter, we have more than enough salt for now and can always get more if needed," Lemley said.
Hovis said this New Year's snow is likely to be lighter because rain was expected to fall first.
"The surface temperature is expected to be too warm for snow to stick or fall, so it will likely be rain that falls first," he said. "If it weren't for the expected rain, the snowfall might be more."
Although snow will likely be the most anticipated weather issue for the holiday, Hovis said the temperature difference will be significant.
"While our high today is expected to be in the low-to-mid 30s, the big difference is that the temperature will drop to the teens, as low as 17 degrees, on Tuesday night," he said Monday. "People need to be prepared for that."
