Snow piled up fast on Monday afternoon and evening, with anywhere from two inches of snow falling in Park Layne to a little over five inches in Donnelsville, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
The NWS is continuing to warn drivers of hazardous driving conditions until crews are able to fully plow and treat roads, including on secondary streets and in rural areas.
Both Clark County Engineer Johnathan Burr and City of Springfield Service Director Chris Moore said crews would be on 12-hour around-the-clock shifts with the weather. Moore said an estimated 16 to 18 snowplows would in service this week.
“This is nothing new,” Moore said.
Champaign County Engineer Stephen McCall said roads are being treated for 24 hours with an “anti-icing treatment,” and there have so far been no problems besides a mechanical issue with one snow plowtruck that has since been repaired.
“The public did a great job last night staying off the roads. When cars get stuck on the road, it causes significant delays in clearing and treating the roads. Please remember to drive the conditions of the roads and stay safe,” McCall said.
Both counties were in a level 2 Snow Emergency for most of Monday night into Tuesday afternoon.
The counties were downgraded to a level 1 around 2 p.m. Tuesday. A level 2 snow emergency means roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roadways. Also, under a level 2 snow emergency employers are also encouraged to ask employees to work from home if possible.
Under a level 1, roadways are still hazardous and extremely icy. Roads also could have standing water in places and caution should be used when driving.
“Be safe out there if you have to travel,” the statement from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office said.
In a post on their Facebook page, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Ohio Department of Transportation, McCall and others for assisting in clearing roads.
“Sheriff (Matthew) Melvin would like to extend thanks to ODOT, Champaign County Engineer and the township road crews who worked tirelessly through this winter storm,” the post said.
AAA crews reported an increase in extrication requests as drivers battled snowy roads on Tuesday morning. From midnight to Tuesday morning, AAA’s Roadside Rescue Team helped more than 100 stranded motorists across the region.
“If you don’t have to go out don’t,” AAA-Miami Valley spokesperson Kara Hitchens said on Monday afternoon.
But despite the severe winter weather, there were no major slow downs or a high number of accidents in either Clark or Champaign County.
With more frigid temperatures and snow expected in the coming days, AAA is reminding drivers that vehicle breakdowns during extreme cold can be dangerous, especially to the eldery and young children. Anyone who must go out should make sure they have an emregency kit, according to AAA.
The kit should include things like bottle water, a first-aid kit, a fully charged cell phone, jumper cables, blankets and extra warm clothing.
Skies are expected to be mostly cloudy on Wednesday with a high near 21 degrees and wind chill values as low as minus seven degrees possible. Snow is likely to return Wednesday overnight, which will be cloudy with a low around 18 degrees. New snow accumulation of one to two inches is possible.
Snow will continue into Thursday with high temperatures near 29 degrees, with an additional one to two inches of accumlation possible, according to the NWS. Other forecast models predict higher snowfall totals.
Thursday night will be cloudy with overnight lows around 17 degrees. Snow is likely before 1 a.m. where it is slated to be cloudy with a low of 17 degrees.
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