Snow fell throughout the day on Sunday, piling up at least 10 inches by mid-afternoon and bringing a rare declaration of a Level 3 Snow Emergency in Licking County.
More than 20 of Ohio’s 88 counties were under a Level 3 Snow Emergency Sunday afternoon. All are in central or southern Ohio and include all of Licking County’s neighbors: Knox, Fairfield, Franklin, Muskingum and Perry.
A Level 3 means that “all roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be out during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary. Those traveling on the roadways may subject themselves to arrest.”
Most Licking County school districts – including Newark, Granville, Johnstown-Monroe, Lakewood, Northridge and Southwest Licking – had already canceled Monday classes by Sunday afternoon. Not only is the deep snow an issue, but central Ohio is also facing continued bitter and dangerously cold temperatures.
A winter storm warning by the National Weather Service remains in effect through noon on Monday, including that central Ohio could see another 2-4 inches of snow on top of what fell on Sunday. The weather service also issued a cold-weather advisory from midnight Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday – and extreme cold warning for 6 p.m. Monday through noon on Tuesday.
“Very cold wind chills as low as 15 below zero are expected,” the weather service warned. “For the Extreme Cold Warning, dangerously cold wind chills as low as around 25 below zero are expected.
The dangerously cold wind chills — as low as 20 below zero – “could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Dress in layers, including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside,” the weather service said.
It also urged pet owners to keep them indoors as much as possible. “Make sure outdoor animals have a warm, dry shelter, food, and unfrozen water.”
The forecast calls for bitter cold all week with a return to more normal temperatures on Sunday, Feb. 1, when it should be partly sunny with a high near 20.
The storm was part of a massive system that spread deep snow, sleet and freezing rain across much of the United States from New Mexico to New England.
Licking County residents woke up Sunday morning to a temperature of 12 degrees and about 4 inches of snow at 6 a.m. The temperatures held steady in the teens and the snow accumulation doubled by 9 a.m., when folks started venturing out to shovel, plow and, in some cases, play in the snow.
Many churches canceled Sunday services and some businesses were closed. Residents posting on social media reported taking walks – often on side streets, which were mostly void of cars – and sledding when they weren’t shoveling.
Here’s the seven-day forecast for Licking County from the National Weather Service:
Sunday night: Snow, mainly before 8 p.m., then a chance of flurries after 10 p.m. Patchy blowing snow. Low around 9. Wind chill values as low as -1. West wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around 1 inch possible.
Monday: A chance of snow showers, mainly between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., then a chance of snow showers or flurries after 5 p.m. Patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 16. Wind chill values as low as -3. West wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Monday night: A chance of flurries before 7 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around -7. Wind chill values as low as -25. Southwest wind 7-10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 17. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -7.
Wednesday: Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 10.
Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around -5.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 12.
Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around -9.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 11.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -7.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 16.
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around -2.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 20.