Central Ohio Endures 16‑Inch Snowfall, Level 2 Emergency and Subzero Cold
Updated (10 articles)
Record Snowfall Totals Across Central Ohio Heavy snowfall began Saturday night and continued Sunday, delivering between 8 and more than 16 inches across central Ohio [1][2]. Zanesville recorded 16.9 inches, London 14.3, New Rome 13.1, Springfield 13.0, making it one of the season’s biggest events and the fifth‑largest on record for Columbus [1][3][4]. Accumulations of 12‑13 inches were common in the Columbus metro and surrounding counties, with some spots exceeding 16 inches [2][4]. The storm was part of a larger system that affected the central, southern and eastern United States over the weekend [1][5].
County Emergency Levels Restrict Non‑Essential Travel Franklin County declared a Level 2 Snow Emergency, limiting road use to essential personnel, while southern counties were placed under Level 3, prohibiting all non‑emergency vehicles [1][2][3][4][5]. County sheriffs enforce the restrictions and may arrest violators, coordinating with the County Engineer’s Office and ODOT on road closures [3][4]. ODOT deployed over 1,200 plow crews statewide, targeting interstates and major highways to keep them passable [4][5]. Travel advisories urged drivers to avoid non‑essential trips and to monitor real‑time clearing maps provided by local municipalities [4][6].
Schools, Businesses and Transit Disrupted by Storm Most school districts cancelled classes for Monday and Tuesday, and numerous businesses closed as officials warned of hazardous travel conditions [1][2][5]. Columbus Area Transit Authority kept all bus routes operating and waived fares through Tuesday to support essential travel [3][6]. The storm forced more than 100 churches to cancel Sunday services, illustrating the widespread community impact [5]. Officials emphasized checking traffic updates and confirming employer expectations before reporting to work [1][6].
Subzero Temperatures and Wind Chill Alert for Week Arctic air will drive temperatures below zero with wind chills between –10 °F and –20 °F Monday and Tuesday mornings, prompting a Weather Impact Alert for extreme cold lasting a week [1][2][3][5][6][7]. Forecasts show subzero temperatures persisting through the end of January, with the most severe wind chills early in the week [1][3]. The cold snap reduces the effectiveness of standard road salt, requiring chemical additives and increased de‑icing efforts by ODOT [6][7]. Residents are advised to limit outdoor exposure and prepare for prolonged freezing conditions [1][7].
Sources (7 articles)
-
[1]
WBNS: Central Ohio Blanketed by 8‑16+ Inches of Snow Amid Major Winter Storm – Details 8‑16+ inches of snow, record community totals, Level 2 emergency, subzero wind chills, and the storm’s broader U.S. impact .
-
[2]
WBNS: Ohio Winter Storm Leaves Over 16 Inches of Snow and Subzero Temperatures – Highlights >16 inches in parts of central Ohio, expiration of statewide warnings, Level 2/3 emergencies, and school/business closures .
-
[3]
WBNS: Franklin County Declares Level 2 Snow Emergency Amid 16‑Inch Storm and Subzero Temperatures – Focuses on Franklin County’s Level 2 declaration, COTA fare waiver, and enforcement actions for non‑essential travel .
-
[4]
WBNS: Ohio Snowstorm Forces Road Closures and Massive Plow Deployment – Reports road closures, deployment of over 1,200 ODOT crews, real‑time clearing maps, and potential historic ranking of snowfall totals .
-
[5]
WBNS: Cars Stuck on I‑70 West as Snow Intensifies, Highways Reopen – Describes six vehicles stranded on I‑70, six‑inch accumulations, >100 church service cancellations, and forecasts up to 16 inches statewide .
-
[6]
WBNS: Columbus Mayor Updates Residents Ahead of Major Winter Storm – Covers mayor Ginther’s briefing, Snow Warriors preparation for 8‑12 inches, COTA fare waiver, ODOT’s 1,500‑truck deployment, and wind chill expectations .
-
[7]
WBNS: DeWine and State Officials Urge Caution as Winter Storm Looms Over Central Ohio – Features Governor DeWine’s stay‑home appeal, ODOT resources, 6‑12‑inch snowfall forecast, and emphasis on road safety and de‑icing challenges .
Timeline
Dec 2, 2025 – Central Ohio receives 3‑6 inches of snow, with Columbus reporting over 4 inches; Level 2 and Level 3 snow emergencies restrict travel, and temperatures stay below freezing while a new system tracks toward the Ohio Valley[9].
Dec 2, 2025 – Up to 5 inches fall Tuesday morning, Worthington records more than 6 inches, road conditions worsen and winter‑weather advisories are lifted; forecasters note another system approaching the Ohio Valley[10].
Dec 13‑14, 2025 – A winter storm drops 1‑9 inches across central Ohio, setting a new record of 5.4 inches at John Glenn Columbus International Airport; counties issue Level 2/3 snow emergencies and single‑digit temperatures with wind chills below zero are forecast[8].
Jan 23, 2026 – Governor Mike DeWine urges Ohioans to stay home as a major storm approaches, highlighting ODOT’s readiness with 1,500 trucks, 3,000 workers and ample de‑icing supplies; a Winter Storm Warning predicts 6‑12 inches and officials stress reduced salt effectiveness and the need for drivers to slow down[7].
Jan 24, 2026 – Mayor Andrew Ginther briefs residents on the impending storm, outlining city shelters and the Columbus “Snow Warriors” prepared to clear 8‑12 inches; ODOT deploys 1,500 trucks and 3,000 drivers, while Lt. Nihiser warns of dangerous wind chills of –5 °F to –15 °F and urges limited travel[6].
Jan 25, 2026 (morning) – Franklin County places the entire area under a Level 2 Snow Emergency; ODOT activates more than 1,200 snow‑clearing crews statewide and posts real‑time updates via press secretary Matt Bruning, while forecasts call for 8‑14 inches that could rank among Columbus’s top five snow events[4].
Jan 25, 2026 (≈ 6:45 a.m.) – Six vehicles become stranded on I‑70 West near US 33, prompting a brief closure of all westbound lanes; the highway reopens by 8:15 a.m., six inches of snow are recorded, and over 100 churches cancel Sunday services as a Winter Storm Warning covers all 88 Ohio counties with subzero temperatures and wind chills of –10 °F to –20 °F[5].
Jan 25, 2026 (afternoon) – ODOT crews continue intensive plowing as hazardous conditions persist; schools and many businesses close, travel advisories remain in effect, and local maps (Columbus Warrior Watch, Dublin Snow‑service, etc.) provide live clearing status to motorists[4].
Jan 25, 2026 (evening) – Franklin County reaffirms its Level 2 Snow Emergency after the storm’s peak; central Ohio records 10‑16 inches of snow, ranking as the season’s biggest and the fifth‑largest on record for Columbus; COTA keeps full bus service and waives fares through Tuesday to support essential travel[3].
Jan 26, 2026 – Statewide Winter Storm Warnings expire as the system moves out; central Ohio reports over 16 inches of snow, with Zanesville near 17 inches, while Columbus‑area counties stay under Level 2 emergencies and southern counties under Level 3; subzero temperatures and wind chills of –10 °F to –20 °F trigger a Weather Impact Alert for extreme cold lasting seven days[2].
Jan 27, 2026 – Heavy snowfall that began Saturday night intensifies Sunday, delivering 8‑16+ inches across central Ohio; record totals include Zanesville 16.9", London 14.3", and Springfield 13.0", prompting multiple counties to remain under Level 2 Snow Emergencies, widespread school and business closures, and a week‑long extreme‑cold alert with wind chills of –10 °F to –20 °F as the storm sweeps the central, southern, and eastern United States[1].
All related articles (10 articles)
-
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Central Ohio Blanketed by 8‑16+ Inches of Snow Amid Major Winter Storm
-
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Ohio Winter Storm Leaves Over 16 Inches of Snow and Subzero Temperatures
-
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Franklin County Declares Level 2 Snow Emergency Amid 16‑Inch Storm and Subzero Temperatures
-
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Ohio Snowstorm Forces Road Closures and Massive Plow Deployment
-
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Cars stuck on I‑70 West as snow intensifies, highways reopen
-
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Columbus Mayor Updates Residents Ahead of Major Winter Storm
-
WBNS (Columbus, OH): DeWine and state officials urge caution as winter storm looms over central Ohio
-
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Winter storm brings several inches of snow to central Ohio: Current snowfall totals
-
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Columbus, Ohio Receives 3‑6 Inches of Snow After Winter Storm
-
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Central Ohio Receives Up to 5 inches of Snow Tuesday Morning
External resources (8 links)
- https://warriorwatch.columbus.gov/ (cited 2 times)
- https://twitter.com/hashtag/ODOTwinter?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw (cited 3 times)
- https://t.co/D3AfQbTt0n (cited 1 times)
- https://t.co/kZTfz0pmJJ (cited 1 times)
- https://t.co/y2mdfitzGi (cited 1 times)
- https://t.co/zE47OTcGJ2 (cited 1 times)
- https://portal.snowpaths.com/public/983278/983279 (cited 2 times)
- https://snowgo.dublin.oh.us/ (cited 1 times)