COLUMBUS, Ohio – Plow crews were out overnight, doing their part in central Ohio to keep roads clear for commuters as snow began to fall in the pre-dawn hourshours, leaving more than four inches on the ground by late afternoon.
Level 1 snow emergencies were declared in Delaware, Fairfield, Pickaway and Union counties.
A wind chill advisory is in effect from 10:00 p.m Thursday to 10:00 a.m Friday with wind chills between
10 and 24 degrees below zero possinle for several hours.
Some school districts canceled classes for the day as roads became icy.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory until 7:00 p.m. says for 1-3 inches of snow in most areas, up to 6 inches on both sides of U.S. Route 30 in northern Ohio (see right). Forecasters say temperatures will drop into the teens, with gusty winds causing some blowing snow and wind chills at dangerously low levels.
The Ohio Department of Transportation says more than 200 plows are on the road in eight counties, while 51 Columbus city trucks are plowing and salting state Routes 33, 104, 315, arterial streets, bridges, overpasses, ramps and inclines and will work throughout the day and evening, Department of Public Service spokesman Steven Cordetti said. After midnight, 100 ODOT plows will be on patrol as temperatures drop and the wind picks up, causing blowing snow to become an issue, especially in rural areas. Drivers are reminded to give the plow drivers plenty of room.
This weather is part of a major snowstorm taking aim on parts of the Midwest and Northeast.
After unseasonably warm weather right before Christmas, temperatures have gotten back to normal for this time of year in preparation for the snow forecast for Thursday. Ohio had a snowier than usual December early on, only to see much of the snow washed away in heavy rains.