“Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ‘cause it’s cooooold out there today” was more than just a line from a movie on Monday as a brutal arctic blast hit southern Ohio producing the coldest day yet of the winter season. Following snow showers on Sunday, the arctic tide swept into the area dropping early morning temperatures in Adams County to -2 degrees with wind chills at -15 to -5 degrees.
Sunday evening the Adams County Government Facebook page warned, “Wind chill advisories are in effect tonight into early Monday afternoon for values of 10 below zero and colder. Bundle up!”
Throughout the day temperatures climbed slowly into the lower teens, but dropped back to single digits in the evening. Wind chills hovered at -3 degrees keeping most of the tri-state area under a wind chill advisory until 1:00 p.m.
Equally frigid temperatures Tuesday morning forced a 90 minute delay for OVSD schools, and a two-hour delay for Manchester Local schools.
Wednesday is expected to bring some relief from the bitter cold with highs in the low 30 degrees. However, a quick moving low weather system is expected to deliver a combination of winter weather: snow, freezing rain, or sleet. The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a winter weather advisory for Wednesday running from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A much larger storm front on Friday is expected to possibly drop 3-5 inches of snow.
According to Lee Pertuset with the Adams County Engineer’s Office, the county highway department is ready for the coming storm. “We have 15 trucks we send out whenever it snows, covering all 375 miles of the county road system. We’re asking people to drive carefully and watch for patches of ice while there is cold weather and snow. We take pride in the job we do, and we hope that everyone remains safe on the roadways.”
OSHA recommends that drivers check their car’s battery, tire tread, windshield wipers, keep windows clear, put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir, and check antifreeze.
Drivers should also have a flashlight, jumper cables, abrasive material (sand, kitty litter, even floor mats), shovel, snow brush with ice scraper, warning devices (like flares) and blankets in their automobiles. For long trips, add food and water, medication and a cell phone.
If a driver becomes stopped or stalled – stay in the car, don’t overexert, put bright markers on antenna or windows and shine the dome light, and, if you run your car, clear the exhaust pipe and run it just enough to stay warm.
Additionally drivers should allow plenty of drive time (check the weather and leave early if necessary), be familiar with the maps and directions, and let others know your route and arrival time.
