A major winter storm is sweeping through central Ohio, with Columbus and surrounding areas bracing for heavy snowfall and hazardous conditions overnight Sunday into Monday. The storm is expected to bring more than six inches of snow, potentially disrupting travel and daily activities. Here’s a live blog of all the key updates and closures happening as the storm intensifies.
Columbus Metropolitan Library and Courts Closed
Due to the inclement weather, the Columbus Metropolitan Library has announced that all of its locations will be closed on January 6. This includes the library’s branches across the city, leaving bookworms and library-goers temporarily out of luck.
Additionally, both the Franklin County Municipal Court and the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas are closed for the day. Jurors scheduled to report should call the respective court numbers to receive further instructions:
- Common Pleas Jurors: 614-525-3450
- Grand Jurors: 614-525-4182
- Municipal Court Jurors: Do not need to report.
As hazardous wintry weather conditions are either ongoing or pending for a large portion of the US the next few days, travel is discouraged for many. If travel is absolutely necessary though, here are some tips to prepare. pic.twitter.com/l721El6SkO
— National Weather Service (@NWS) January 5, 2025
Winter Storm Warning Issued for Franklin County
At 2 a.m. Monday, the National Weather Service upgraded Franklin County to a Winter Storm Warning. This warning means the storm is severe enough to cause difficult or even impossible travel. Residents are urged to stay home unless absolutely necessary. The snowfall may make driving treacherous, with the risk of icy roads and whiteout conditions.
Columbus City Schools Close
As the storm intensifies, Columbus City Schools have announced the cancellation of all classes and activities for Monday, January 6. This decision comes after an early-morning assessment of the weather conditions, which show heavy snow accumulation and hazardous travel. Other districts in the region are also following suit, with many schools already closing for the day.
COTA Suspends Fares
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has suspended all fares on Monday, January 6, as Franklin County enters a Level 2 Snow Emergency. Commuters relying on public transportation are advised to check for any delays or schedule changes by visiting COTA’s website.
Snow Emergencies Across Ohio
Several counties in Ohio are currently under snow emergencies, each indicating varying levels of road danger:
- Franklin County: Level 2 (roads are hazardous, only essential travel recommended)
- Fairfield County: Level 3 (all roads closed to non-emergency vehicles)
- Pickaway County: Level 3 (all roads closed to non-emergency vehicles)
Other counties such as Licking, Madison, and Ross are also experiencing Level 2 snow emergencies.
Snow emergency levels are important for drivers to understand as they dictate the degree of caution needed:
- Level 1: Hazardous conditions; drive cautiously
- Level 2: Hazardous with icy roads; only travel if absolutely necessary
- Level 3: All roads closed to non-emergency personnel; only essential travel
Schools Cancel Classes Across Central Ohio
Numerous school districts throughout central Ohio have decided to close for the day, including:
- Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools
- Big Walnut Local Schools
- Columbus City Schools
- Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools
- Hilliard City Schools
- Pickerington Local Schools
Several other districts, including Dublin City Schools, Bexley Local Schools, and Upper Arlington City Schools, have scheduled teacher workdays, with students returning on Tuesday.
Ohio State University and Columbus State Cancel In-Person Classes
In addition to K-12 school closures, Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College have canceled in-person classes for Monday. This decision will affect students, faculty, and staff, with both institutions shifting to remote learning or other forms of education for the day.
Tracking Power Outages in Columbus
As the storm intensifies, power outages are a possibility, particularly due to the heavy snow and potential ice accumulation. AEP Ohio has a real-time power outage map for residents to monitor affected areas. The Columbus Division of Power also offers an outage map on their website for customers in the city.
Road Closures and Traffic Conditions
Travel conditions in Columbus and beyond are expected to deteriorate as the storm progresses. For real-time updates on road closures, accidents, and traffic disruptions, residents can use the OHGO app, or consult popular navigation apps such as Waze, Apple Maps, and Google Maps. These tools will help drivers stay informed and avoid closed or dangerous roads.
Snowfall Records for January 5 and 6
As of 2023, January 5 in Columbus holds a record of 2.5 inches of snow from 2003. If Sunday’s snowfall surpasses 3 inches, it will set a new record.
The snowfall on January 6 is harder to beat, with 11.9 inches recorded back in 1910, marking the snowiest January day in Columbus history. Still, even if the city sees 10 inches of snow, it will fall short of the all-time snowiest day, which occurred on March 8, 2008, when Columbus saw 15.5 inches of snow.
Powerful Winter Storm Continues to Impact Central Ohio
As central Ohio battles the storm, it’s important to stay informed of ongoing developments. The region may experience substantial delays, school closures, and difficult travel conditions for the rest of the day.
Stay tuned for more updates, and take necessary precautions to ensure your safety during this winter storm.
