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Folks, we just experienced the largest 12-hour temperature drop in ever recorded in Columbus:
HISTORIC TEMP DROP
As of 8AM, Columbus has dropped 49° since 11PM.
This is now the biggest temp drop ever recorded, within a 12 hour window, for Columbus, Ohio#GoodDayColumbus #OhioWX
Full Forecast write-up: https://t.co/f7CyAmxJq8 pic.twitter.com/YRPoayRvQM— Andrew Buck Michael (@AndrewWSYX6) December 23, 2022
Level 2 and 3 snow emergencies have been declared throughout the central Ohio region:
SNOW EMERGENCIES [Updated as of 10:30 a.m.] | Three counties in central Ohio have moved to a Level 3 snow emergency, closing all roads to non-emergency personnel. Stay up-to-date with the latest weather alerts at https://t.co/X63FYuZnHV. pic.twitter.com/QQYEDD2fr4
— 10TV (@10TV) December 23, 2022
Previously:
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 snow on the ground here in Columbus. What’s going to sting however are the temps. The National Weather Service has issued both a Hazardous Weather Outlook, a Winter Storm Watch (December 22, 07:00 PM EST until December 23, 05:00 PM EST), and a Wind Chill Watch (December 23, 01:00 AM EST until December 24, 04:00 AM EST) from Thursday-Friday.
The Hazardous Weather Outlook warns that our area will see wind chills in the 10 below to 30 below range along with possibly 1-3 inches of snow. Winds could gust up to 45-50 MPH. Fingers crossed that AEP has been trimming those trees this year.
So what does that mean for us?
It’s going to get very cold, very quickly:
[5:50 PM] Expect wind chill values to dip below zero Thu night and remain near/below zero through Christmas Day for most spots. Wind gusts increase to around 40-45 MPH Thu night and persist through Fri night. Breezy/very cold conditions continue Christmas Eve. pic.twitter.com/yItFA9h6OP
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) December 21, 2022
No, really, this is historically notable levels of wind chill. Being outside is going to hurt and everyone needs a plan in case the power fails.
[6:20 PM] We cannot overstate how dangerously cold it is going to be/feel tomorrow morning through the day. We are forecasting a minimum wind chill of -30F at Dayton, which has only occurred on 7 days in the past 25 years (would be first occurrence since 2014). Data courtesy IEM. pic.twitter.com/c3tqk7j007
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) December 22, 2022
Here are previews of the winter storm sweeping through:
It really will take till Christmas morning for things to settle out. Otherwise Thursday through Saturday looks horrendous over the Great Lakes, Northeast and Mid-South with rapidly changing and dangerous weather elements. pic.twitter.com/nmSem35soJ
— Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) December 21, 2022
Weather maps are more beautiful without borders 😍
This animation shows the next 48 hours of temperatures in the USA.
🥶 Can you spot the cold front? pic.twitter.com/CQFLVGkX6n
— Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) December 21, 2022
This is an arctic blast we should all take seriously:
[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
We’ve had a pretty mild go of it here, but if this is a preview for the rest of winter … yikes. Click here to see what the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting for winter 2022 – 2023.
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
To stay up to date with the winter storm, you can visit the National Weather Service website or follow them on Twitter. Stay safe out there, Columbus.
