Arctic Air, Snow Blast Central Ohio

CENTRAL OHIO -- Central Ohioans who have to spend time outside are trying their best to keep the cold from biting on a day of single-digit temperatures and even harsher wind chills.

At 1:30 p.m., the National Weather Service reported it was 7 degrees at Columbus' Bolton Field Airport with a wind chill of -8.

Wind chill advisories and warnings remain in effect over the entire state.

Authorities said road salt is less effective when it's so ultra-cold, so drivers need to be mindful of ice on roads.

As winter storm warnings expired, wind chill advisories took their place, and the National Weather Service predicted the coldest chills in western and west-central parts of the state.

Numerous Ohio schools delayed their Thursday morning opening times, while some chose to close, including Groveport Madison Local Schools and Granville Exempted.

Ohio's deep freeze was part of a system that stretched from Montana to northern New England and dipped as far south as North Carolina.

Officials said the snow fell faster than crews could clear the roads and on interstates and side streets, the accumulation prevented drivers from seeing lane markers.

The winter storm brought 7 inches of snowfall in Worthington, Newark and Johnstown, 6.5 inches in Marysville and Coshocton, 6 inches in Dublin and 5 inches in Delaware and Pickerington.

ROAD CREW GAME PLAN
According to officials, city road crews began working in area neighborhoods at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

The city has 75 trucks out clearing roads.

Typically, crews do not get into neighborhoods until at least 48 hours after the end of a storm.

According to the city, crews will make one pass only in plowing residential streets, but intersections will be plowed, and a mixture of salt, calcium chloride and sand will be spread.

Crews will continue cleanup on major roadways with the trucks that are too big to go into the neighborhoods.

Officials said it will take at least two days to complete the work in the neighborhoods and that streets will not be plowed to bare pavement.

Franklin County had 25 snow plows cleaning up snow-covered side roads and leftover slush in turn lanes.

ODOT encouraged everyone to take it slow tonight on the way home from work. The sun was helping to dry the road surface, but once the sun goes down, the potential for icy conditions will be there

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WAY TOO COLD
When you can't avoid this dangerous cold and the brutal winds, take steps to protect yourself.

Storm Team 4 said you should know that wind chill does not depend on the time of day or night but on the wind and the temperature.

It's how the cold feels on our exposed skin. The stronger the wind, the more heat that will be driven away and the colder you will feel.

Leave as little exposed skin as possible.

Frostbite can happen in as little as 30 minutes.

The first sign will be that your skin turns red then white.

You should get indoors and remove any wet clothing immediately. Cover the area with warm, dry blankets.

You also should elevate any frost-bitten extremities and contact your doctor.

Frigid temperatures take a toll on your vehicles, too.

Here are a few tips to keep your vehicle in running order:
1. Check your tire pressure and tread. If you're unsure on the specs, ask a local mechanic.
2. Let your vehicle warm up before you drive it. Your vehicle's oil needs to warm up and move through all of its passageways to lubricate properly.
3. And besides the obvious ice scraper, it's also a good idea to have windshield and lock de-icer with you in your vehicle.

ODOT urged drivers to remember, "Ice and Snow ...Take it Slow."

Excessive speed continues to be one of the biggest factors for crashes during the winter. Drivers who don't remember to take it slow in ice and snow are six times more likely to get into a crash, compared to non-winter-weather driving.

Drivers can tune in to 1200 AM on their car radio to hear safety messages on ODOT's Highway Advisory Radio System.

Storm Team 4 meteorologist Ben Gelber said the high temperature for Thursday would be 10 degrees amid partly cloudy skies with brisk winds and flurries. The wind chill is expected to be 10 degrees below.

A wind chill advisory was issued for much of Central Ohio through Friday at 6 p.m.

Storm Team 4 meteorologists were calling for temperatures at 6 degrees at 9 a.m. and 10 degrees at Noon Thursday. By 3 p.m., the temperature would remain at 10 degrees with isolated showers.

Thursday night, Central Ohio will see low temperatures 5 to 10 degrees below with clear conditions.

Friday will see mostly sunny skies with a high temperature of 7 degrees. The overnight low will be near zero Friday night.

Storm Team 4 is calling for partly sunny skies on Saturday with a high near 22 degrees. Sunday will see light snow showers and a high of 25 degrees.

More snow showers return on Monday, bringing with it a high temperature at 29 degrees.

Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for additional information.
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