Ohio Prepares for Major Winter Storm as Temperatures Drop Below Freezing
Updated (2 articles)
State Agencies Issue Winter Storm Watch for Central Ohio A Winter Storm Watch now covers all central Ohio counties, forecasting 6 to 12 inches of snow with heavier accumulations in the southern part of the state, prompting officials to ready emergency measures [1].
Cold Temperatures Complicate De‑icing Efforts Temperatures are expected to fall into the single‑digit range, reducing the effectiveness of standard salt and requiring the activation of salt additives, which complicates road‑clearing operations [1].
ODOT Deploys Massive Snow‑Response Fleet The Ohio Department of Transportation has positioned 1,500 trucks and about 3,000 drivers on 12‑hour shifts, maintains roughly 424,000 tons of salt on hand and has already used over 510,000 tons this winter, underscoring the scale of the response [1].
OSHP Advises Caution and Highlights Crash Statistics The Ohio State Highway Patrol urges travelers to reduce speed or stay off the roads, noting unsafe speeds as the leading cause of weather‑related crashes; it reports 15,647 winter‑related crashes with 17 fatalities, eight of which occurred in January, and more than 30 snowplow‑strike incidents this season [1].
Timeline
2024 – ODOT reports a 99.3 % success rate in restoring primary routes within two hours after snow events, highlighting the agency’s high operational efficiency and setting a benchmark for the upcoming winter season [2].
Dec 2, 2025 – ODOT mobilizes 150 crews across central Ohio to pre‑treat roads, load trucks, and stand by for the first statewide snow event of the season, aiming to clear primary routes within two hours after the storm ends [2].
Dec 2, 2025 – ODOT urges motorists to allow extra travel time, reduce speed, and keep a safe distance from snowplows, warning that normal‑speed driving overnight is unsafe [2].
Dec 2, 2025 – AEP Columbus operations manager Dylan Brown warns that vehicle accidents during the storm are a leading cause of power outages and advises residents to stock emergency supplies [2].
Jan 22, 2026 – ODOT and OSHP issue a Winter Storm Watch for all central Ohio counties, forecasting 6–12 inches of snow (more in the south) and single‑digit temperatures that threaten salt effectiveness [1].
Jan 22, 2026 – ODOT activates a fleet of 1,500 snow‑response trucks and about 3,000 drivers working 12‑hour shifts, while maintaining 424,000 tons of salt on hand after using over 510,000 tons this winter [1].
Jan 22, 2026 – OSHP warns that unsafe speeds are the leading factor in weather‑related crashes and urges travelers to slow down or stay home, citing 15,647 snow‑related crashes and 17 fatalities this winter, including eight crashes in January [1].
Jan 22, 2026 – ODOT spokesperson Bruning emphasizes that roads should remain passable if drivers give plows room, noting that more than 30 snowplows have been struck this winter [1].
Jan 22, 2026 – ODOT plans to activate salt additives at lower temperatures to maintain de‑icing effectiveness as temperatures plunge into the single digits [1].