I hope you all have your bread, milk, and eggs ready. It’s winter weather time.
That’s right folks. A winter storm is blowing into town and by the end of the week, we could see an impressive amount of snow on the ground here in Columbus. The National Weather Service has issued both a Hazardous Weather Outlook and a Winter Storm Warning for Franklin County.
The Hazardous Weather Outlook warns that our area will see wind chills in the single digits Monday night, followed by very cold temperatures in the single digits on Tuesday. The Winter Storm Warning calls for 6-9 inches with higher amounts possible. The warning is in effect from 1 a.m. Monday until 1 p.m. Tuesday.
So what does that mean for us?
The entire state of Ohio is under some sort of winter weather-related warning.
A WEATHER ALERT has been issued for our area. Check https://t.co/b1Uud57RaE for the latest information on the alerts and the timing. Remember, Spectrum Customers can watch Spectrum News 1 LIVE on the Spectrum News App. MORE: https://t.co/VdQZyeKEWW #OHwx pic.twitter.com/WntMQC4j81
— Spectrum News 1 OH (@SpectrumNews1OH) February 14, 2021
In fact, a huge swath of the country is under winter weather warnings.
Record area of US (1.6 million km^2) now under Winter Storm Warnings. Previous record was 1.2 km^ million on Feb 1 2011. (Records back to 2005) pic.twitter.com/5EcFy6V4Ft
— Eric Elwell (@EricElwell_TV) February 14, 2021
1-3 inches will fall before 9 a.m. on Monday, followed by a brief break.
[11:30 PM] Here's an update on how we are expecting things to unfold. IMPORTANT: the most impactful period of wintry precip will be mid afternoon through the evening. Heavy snow/sleet/freezing rain is expected. Avoid travel during this time period. Rapid snow/ice accum. expected. pic.twitter.com/Z2VYHOgG6j
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) February 15, 2021
The heaviest snowfall will be Monday afternoon and evening into Tuesday morning when areas could see up to one inch of snow per hour.
The SECOND round of snow from this winter storm is expected from ~2PM Mon to ~2AM Tue. Snow will be heaviest between 6PM-11PM. This is when the big accumulations are expected, with snowfall rates of over an 1" per hour in spots.
This WILL affect the Monday evening commute. (2/4)
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) February 14, 2021
I wish I could tell you that would be the end of it, but there’s also a chance that we could be getting some more snowfall on Thursday. But let’s just get through this snowstorm first, and then we can worry about that.
When it comes to staying warm and safe during a storm like this, there are a few things you can do in preparation. If you have an essential job that you have to head out for during the storm, you’ll obviously be concerned with road safety.
[1:00 AM] There's no sugarcoating this one. Travel later today will be very difficult, if not impossible, at times. Significant accumulations of snow & ice (depending on exact location) are on the way. If you must be out this evening, here are some tips to help get home safely! pic.twitter.com/JcJMPktPXa
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) February 15, 2021
It’s also a good idea to keep some supplies in your car, should you find yourself in a situation where you’re stranded in your vehicle. Emergency kits for your car should include blankets, hand warmers, first aid kits, and more.
If you’re at home, you can enjoy the beauty of the falling snow from the coziness of your own home. It’s always a good idea to charge electronics and have extra candles on hand, just in case the power goes out.
With a winter storm on the way, it's always a great idea to review some basic safety tips. Keep extra supplies in your vehicle, keep your electronic devices charged, and let us emphasize — in the event of power outages, NEVER run a generator in an enclosed space. pic.twitter.com/tJMaMpg7te
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) February 13, 2021
