COLUMBUS – The forecasts for Wednesday morning in central Ohio called for dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills and they weren’t wrong.
Air temperatures across the Columbus area were in the low to middle single digits as folks woke up for work and school.
The National Weather Service reported temperature readings of 5 below zero in Dublin at around 6:00 a.m. and Westerville at 7:45, and 7 below in Ostrander at 8:00 a.m..
Wind chill indices dipped to as low as 13 below zero at the OSU Don Scott 8:00 a.m..
Cold Weather Safety Tips
Try to Stay Indoors.
- If you must go outdoors make trips brief, dress in several layers of loose clothing and stay dry.
- Make sure to wear a warm hat and gloves or mittens.
- Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia: Slurred speech, confusion, uncontrollable shivering, stumbling, drowsiness and body temperature of less than 95° F.
- Get immediate medical attention if you think someone has frostbite or hypothermia.
- Warm the core body temperature with a blanket and warm fluids.
- Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.
Bring your pets inside
Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:
- Use a fireplace, wood stove or other combustion heater only if they are properly vented to the outside. Ensure adequate ventilation if you must use a space heater.
- Never use an electric generator indoors, inside the garage, or near the air-intake of your house because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use a charcoal or gas grill inside – the fumes are deadly.
Concern over the cold temperatures and a transportation staffing shortage prompted the Columbus City Schools to cancel all remote and in-person classes, as well as athletic and extracurricular activities.
The weather service predicted that Arctic high pressure would sunshine and cold temperatures to the region today with high temperatures ranging from around 15 degrees north of I-70 to the mid-20s south of the Ohio River.