COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus was spared the worst the latest winter storm had to offer, but it left enough snow and ice on roads to delay or close schools that have already exhausted their allotted snow days for the school year.
Several northern Ohio counties banned all non-emergency driving as the latest blast closed some schools and dumped more snow and ice on residents weary of this weather.
The snowfall was expected to taper off Tuesday as warming temperatures and the possibility of rain later this week threaten a new round of problems with potential flooding. Temperatures are forecast near 50 degrees by Thursday.
The National Weather Service says the combination of melting snow and more rain could cause significant flooding in some places.
This has been one of Ohio’s coldest, snowiest winters in years. All that snow and ice has left some local governments short on road salt.
Many schools have used up their allotted snow days and may have to make up classes unless lawmakers act to increase the number of calamity days.