COLUMBUS, Ohio – Bitter cold temperatures took hold across central Ohio this morning and they aren’t expected to loosen their grip for several days.
Temperatures this morning ranged from the low single digits to several degrees below zero with winds making the air feel colder than that. Wind chills as low as 20 degrees below zero are expected today and forecasters say the Arctic freeze is expected to stick around through next week.
Columbus utility officials say they’re prepared for water main problems caused by the frigid air.
Several new burst pipes are expected across the city this week because of the deep freeze and crews are still working to fix most of the 50 water mains that broke during a cold snap earlier this month.
A Northeast Side man is facing charges for allegedly leaving his dogs outside in brutally cold weather.
The Capital Area Humane Society says Terry Hicks was slapped yesterday with animal cruelty charges. Hicks is accused of leaving nearly 20 dogs outside his Brentnell Avenue home, causing two to die and the rest to suffer without food.
The latest polar storm canceled 3,000 flights on Tuesday could dump as much as a foot of snow on southern New England today. Forecasters say that could snarl the evening commute for millions along the busy I-95 corridor from Boston to Washington, DC.
The National Weather Service says temperatures will fall below freezing as far south as northern Florida, and that two more polar fronts will follow this cold snap.