Crews Prep For Possible Slippery, Sloppy Weekend

CENTRAL OHIO—Snow warriors were gearing up Friday as Central Ohio’s weather teetered on the verge of a major winter storm. The path of the storm and its punch could change on a dime, though.

Winter weather advisories were issued for much of Central Ohio, with winter storm warnings in effect for Ashland, Crawford, Hardin, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Morrow, and Richland counties from 1 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. 

City of Columbus crews were coming and going on an almost-constant basis from their snow barn at 25th Avenue Friday afternoon. NBC 4 said crews were prepping for what could be a slippery and sloppy weekend.

City crews spent Friday treating overpasses, bridges, ramps and major roads, and officials said crews will continue throughout the evening and overnight hours.

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Crews will concentrate during the overnight hours on major secondary streets—not side streets—assuming that the track of the storm continues as predicted.

City crews will have ten trucks that will treat roads with brine until 11 p.m. when overnight crews join them—with a total of 60 to 70 trucks ready.

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, there will be 20 trucks on the roads overnight, which will increase to 40-45 trucks overnight.

County officials said there will be up to all 25 trucks on the roads after midnight, monitoring conditions, Storm Team 4‘s Ben Gelber reported.

Storm Team 4 meteorologists anticipate freezing rain and sleet may fall between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.

From Storm Team 4’s Jym Ganahl:

Light snow and light ice develops after midnight until 9 a.m. Saturday—about an inch of snow, a tenth of an inch of ice. 

The snow and ice mix turns to snow in the afternoon with 3 to 5 inches expected in Columbus but 6 or more north of the city and almost nothing south due to temperatures. 

The overnight low temperature drops to 25 degrees, and the high Saturday should reach 33 degrees. The low temperature Saturday night will dip near 18 degrees.

Franklin County officials said crews were scheduled as fully staffed by midnight and all of the county’s 25 trucks were scheduled to be on the roads.

ODOT officials also said it’s too early to predict a plan of attack. The plan won’t be determined until later Friday, using the latest forecasts.

Salt crews weren’t the only ones prepping for snow. Residents were, too.

“If you’re going to drive in three to five inches, you just have to be very careful that’s all,“ Columbus resident Jeff LaFramboyse said.

Jerry DeVine with Como Bike and Mower Shop in Clintonville said if it were to snow as many as three inches, the snow throwers in the store will go fast.

“Should be pretty interesting. If we get three to five inches, we’ll probably sell a lot and we’ll probably have a bunch coming in,“ DeVine said.

THE BOTTOMLINE: While the weather remained unclear, officials and crews throughout Central Ohio have done their homework and will be prepared for Old Man Winter.

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