OHIO — A significant winter weather event is impacting southwest and central Ohio on Saturday, bringing widespread accumulating snow followed by dangerously cold wind chills that will persist through early Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
Steady snow is continuing throughout the day Saturday, with the heaviest accumulation expected near and south of Interstate 70 and near to north of the Ohio River.
Forecasters say snowfall will intensify during the afternoon and evening hours, with the most significant snowfall occurring between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. Snow is expected to taper off from northwest to southeast late Saturday night, ending between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Snowfall totals are expected to vary across the region. Areas including Wilmington and Logan could see 6 to 8 inches of snow, while much of the surrounding area, including Dayton, Columbus, Marysville, Sidney, Brookville, Richmond, Newark, and Chillicothe, is forecast to receive 4 to 6 inches. Lighter totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected in locations such as Celina, Kenton, Peebles, Portsmouth, and Maysville, with 1 to 3 inches possible near Versailles, Falmouth, and Carrollton.
Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly Saturday evening as snow combines with falling temperatures and breezy conditions. The National Weather Service warns that road conditions may become very difficult, particularly late in the evening and overnight when cold air may limit the effectiveness of road treatments.
Following the snow, an outbreak of bitterly cold air will move into the region. Wind chills on Sunday are expected to range from near zero to as low as 15 degrees below zero, with the coldest conditions occurring across western and central Ohio. Sunday night into early Monday morning will remain brutally cold, with wind chills again dipping below zero in many locations, including Dayton, Wilmington, Cincinnati, and Columbus.
The National Weather Service advises residents to limit time outdoors, dress in multiple layers, and take precautions against frostbite and hypothermia. Motorists are urged to use caution, allow extra travel time, and be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions as the winter storm continues.
