COLUMBUS – No sooner do central Ohioans climb out of the deep-freeze than the region finds itself in the sights of another winter storm, this one bringing snow and wind as well as cold temperatures.
UPDATE 1/21/24 9:04 a.m.: Licking, and Pickaway counties remained under Level 1 snow emergencies Sunday morning, meaning motorists should drive with caution.
Morning low temperatures across central Ohio were in the single digits with wind chills below zero. The cold was expected to grip the area into Sunday (see illustration).
What you need to know to keep your family and home safe
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories eere in effect across the state with the heaviest snowfall is expected in northeast Ohio with around 12 inches possible in certain areas.
A covering of snow made the Friday morning commute difficult and forced several school districts, including the Columbus City Schools, Hilliard, Dublin, Upper Arlington, Westfall and Teays Valley, to close for the day.
The snow will affect travel Friday through the weekend.
Columbus Recreation and Parks will open warming centers at five community centers from 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. on Sunday:
• Barnett Community Center, 1184 Barnett Road, 43227
• Dodge Community Center, 667 Sullivant Avenue, 43215
• Linden Community Center, 1350 Briarwood Avenue, 43211
• Marion Franklin Community Center, 2801 Lockbourne Road, 43207
• Thompson Community Center, 1189 Dennison Avenue, 43201
The Licking County Emergency Warming Center Task Force has set up a warming center at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 592 W. Main Street in Newark, from Friday at 5:00 p.m. through Monday at 8:00 a.m.
Warnings have been issued throughout the U.S. as brutal cold and inclement weather continue to sweep across parts of the county.
Bitterly frigid air spilled into the Midwest from Canada on Friday and several states were under advisories as forecasters warned that wind chills dipping to minus 30 degrees could be common through Sunday morning.