STORM TEAM 4: Arctic Blast Barrels In Overnight

CENTRAL OHIO -- Crews are prepared to work overnight to clear roadways as Central Ohio prepares for windy and cold weather. Some Central Ohio districts already have announced closings for Wednesday.

Most Central Ohio counties are under a snow emergency. Click here for the latest information on your county's level and what it means for you.

STORM TEAM 4 and NBC 4 reported with the latest local information and pinpoint forecast.

Travelers should check on flights before heading to area airports. Some flights may be delayed or even canceled. Click here to check on your flight's status.

Storm Team 4 Chief Meteorologist Jym Ganahl said there aren't any surprises in the headlines. It's snowing.

There will be a break in the snow and wind as the storm center passes nearby this evening. The break will last until midnight.

An arctic blast is barreling in with a 10- to 15-degree drop – that's called a flash-freeze. That will happen between 10 p.m. and midnight.

Ganahl expects 2 to 4 more inches of snow overnight and into Wednesday. That's about 7 to 10 inches total with this storm.

The low will be 13 degrees.

Lake effect snow kicks in overnight Wednesday, and winds will be 40 mph after midnight through Wednesday with near-blizzard conditions of blowing and drifting snow.
NWS out of Wilmington is picking up that in the morning rush things are coming together to make for heavy snow with 40 mph winds that will produce whiteout conditions and near blizzard weather for a few hours.

Storm brings in redevelopment along with cold surface and warmer air aloft and strong jet stream to make for trouble in I-70 corridor.

Wednesday's high will be a cold 24 degrees.

The deepest snow depth ever on record here is 18 inches. We're nearing that now.

Most snow for the month of February is 29.2 inches in 1910, and we will be making a run at that one, too.

Sunday looks like a 2-4 type of clipper with another large snowfall next Thursday and Friday, as well.

Lows will drop back to zero after midweek.

Flurries and high of 23 degrees are in Thursday's outlook.

LOCAL ODOT UPDATE
ODOT told NBC 4 134 road crews are on duty and salting interstates, U.S and state routes, ramps and bridges throughout its eight-county Central Ohio region.

ODOT said crews will be working 12-hour shifts throughout the night and into Wednesday to ensure that roads remain safe and passable. With so much snow and moisture on the roads, ODOT said its crews will focus on salting to prevent icing as temperatures drop overnight.

High winds are also expected, which means that ODOT crews in the rural counties will be monitoring blowing snow.

Drivers are urged to use extra care in rural counties where there is blowing and drifting snow.

COLUMBUS SNOW WARRIORS
Rick Tilton, Columbus assistant director of public service, said that as of 4:30 p.m., there were 67 crews out on the roadways. Crews are salting but not putting brine on the roads.

Tilton said residents should park in driveways. Crews have to put the snow somewhere, and drivers parked on the street may get plowed in.

Tilton gave these snow-route priorities:
- Priority 1 - Freeway system (Portions of state routes 315, 33 and 104. ODOT is responsible for I-71, I-70, I-670 and I-270)
- Priority 2 - Arterial streets (Examples: High Street, Broad Street, Morse Road)
- Priority 3 - Collector residential streets (Examples: Oakland Park Avenue, Courtright Road, Hague Avenue, Weber Road)
- Priority 4 - Residential streets (Plowed only after 4 inches of snow are on the ground and after freeways, arterials and collector residential streets have been plowed and treated)

When the city does plow residential streets:
- The goal is to make residential streets passable.
- Plow trucks do not plow down to bare pavement on residential streets.
- Residential streets typically are not plowed the entire curb-to-curb width.
- On cul-de-sacs, plow trucks plow enough of the cul-de-sac “bulb” allow vehicles to turn around, rather than go right to the cul-de-sac bulb curb.

Residents can call 311 or 614-645-3111 to find out where their street falls in the below priorities.

Tilton said the snow warriors use different treatments for streets depending on the conditions:
- Salt, calcium chloride: Melts snow and ice under most conditions. Salt loses its effectiveness in extremely low temperatures, especially on lightly traveled streets.
- Brine (a mix of salt and water): Pavement is pre-treated with brine prior to a storm. Brine helps prevent snow and ice from bonding to pavement.
- Rock salt or salt mixed with calcium chloride: Applied to road with highest traffic volumes and highest speeds during and after snow falls.

Tilton said you can help by, when possible, parking vehicles in driveways or parking lots and off streets to give plow trucks room to plow; checking on senior citizens, shut-ins and other neighbors with mobility impairments; whether a home or business, shovel your sidewalk, driveway apron and any wheelchair ramps in front of your home or business; pile snow in yards; never shovel snow into the street or sidewalks; and apply salt, sand or cat litter to icy steps and paths.

COLUMBUS POLICE HAZARDOUS WEATHER REMINDERS
Before you leave:
- Wake up early.
- Listen to the radio and television for updates on the weather, road and traffic conditions.
- Advise someone of your travel plans so they know when to expect your return.
- Do not leave your vehicle unattended while it is warming up. Thieves are always looking for an easy target, not to mention you could be issued a ticket.
- Leave early, and don’t rush. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.
- Think about alternate routes to avoid traffic problems.
- Pack a blanket and extra clothes in case you become stranded.
- Carry a cell phone and make sure it is charged.
- Pack a shovel, sand or kitty litter to aid in getting out of snow drifts or ice patches.

Ensure your vehicle is safe to drive:
- Make sure your windshield wipers are working properly, and make sure your windshield is clear of frost and snow.
- Travel with at least a half of a tank of gas in case you become stranded or stuck in traffic.
- Make sure your tires have adequate tread to drive through heavy snow and ice.
- Check your windshield-washer fluid levels and carry extra in your vehicle.
- Have a qualified mechanic check your brakes and exhaust system.
- Make sure headlights, taillights and turn signals work so other drivers can see you.

While you are out:
- Allow for extra stopping distance between you and other vehicles.
- Don’t make sudden stops or erratic turns.
- If you become involved in an accident check for injuries. Call medical personnel and the police if anyone is injured.
- If there are no injuries and the vehicles can be safely driven from the roadway, move to a safe area, off of the traveled part of the roadway, and call police. (Columbus Police 614-645-4545)
- Exchange information with the other driver and file a police report as soon as practical if accident response restrictions are in place.

Pedestrians:
- Avoid walking in the street.
- Wear reflective tape or clothing so approaching vehicles can see you from a distance.
- Cross the roadway at marked crosswalks and intersections.

STATEWIDE ODOT UPDATE
With less than 48 hours between major winter weather events -- which have brought as much as 18-24 inches of snow to some parts of the state -- ODOT has crews in every county working around the clock to keep Ohio’s highways and bridges safe.

The latest winter storm watch from the National Weather Service remains in effect through 6 or 7 p.m. Wednesday depending on your location.

Some areas of Ohio may receive six to 12 more inches of snow accumulation.

SAFETY TIPS FROM THE RED CROSS
The Red Cross recommends that people follow these safety tips during the storm:
- Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.
- Use generators correctly. Never operate a generator inside your home, including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
- Don’t forget your pets. Bring them indoors. If you can’t bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm, and make sure they can get to unfrozen water.
- If you must go outside: Wear layered, lightweight clothing, which will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves (or mittens) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
- Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
- Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks.
- After the storm, be careful if you have to shovel snow. It is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering, or you have symptoms of frostbite, including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.

Get more information at http://www.redcross.org.

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