Arctic cold front with coldest temperatures of the season leads to school delays and closings

The National Weather Service in Cleveland issued a Special Weather Statement at 10:56 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26: A strong arctic front will sweep across the region late tonight. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for snow and blowing snow.

Winds could gust up to 45 mph after the frontal passage and combined with some snow that will cause blowing and drifting snow and whiteout conditions at times. Travel could be very dangerous if not impossible. New snow should only be around an inch.

During the day Monday winds will be a little gusty and cause some blowing and drifting snow.

Before the frontal passage, temperatures will be around 30 and then drop into single digits by daybreak and then continue to drop. Wind chill advisory criteria will be met later on Monday.

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Richland County schools are reporting closings and delays

More arctic air will be spreading over the region during the next few days. An arctic cold front will move across the area overnight ushering in some of the coldest temperatures of season. The frigid conditions will last through mid-week.

The frigid conditions will last through mid-week. Some blowing and drifting snow will occur especially tonight into Monday night.

The areas of impact include Ashland, Richland, Marion, Knox, Lucas, Wood, Ottawa, Sandusky, Erie, Hancock, Seneca, Huron, and Wyandot counties.

After the front moves through the winds will gust between 35 and 45 mph for several hours overnight and early Monday morning.

Considerable blowing and drifting snow will occur as the winds gusts and whiteout conditions are likely. The winds will decrease several hours after the front moves through but will still be gusty and cause blowing and drifting snow. Wind chill advisory conditions will then develop. The winter weather advisory for blowing and drifting snow may have to be expanded into northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 10 a.m. Monday. A Wind Chill Advisory is now in effect from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. The Wind Chill Warning remains in effect from 6 p.m. Monday until noon on Tuesday. A Wind Chill Watch remains in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a winter Weather Advisory for blowing and drifting snow which is in effect until 10 a.m. Monday. New snow accumulations will only be around an inch but snow already on the ground will also blow around. Wind chills will dip to 10 to 15 below zero Monday morning and continue to drop during the day. Also another arctic blast will plunge wind chills Monday night through Wednesday morning to around 30 degrees below zero at times.

On Monday and Monday night winds will be gusty at times, causing some blowing and drifting snow. Visibilities will be a quarter mile or less at times in snow and blowing snow when the winds are at their strongest.

Temperatures will drop into single digits by around daybreak and then continue to drop reaching zero by sunset. Lows Monday night and Tuesday night will be 10 below to 15 below zero. Exposed skin will be susceptible to frostbite.

If you will be outdoors use common sense and dress warmly, in layers, making sure that all exposed skin is covered. Avoid prolonged exposure to the cold, if possible, to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Office continues to maintain a Level 2 Snow Emergency. Ashland and Crawford counties are also on a Level 2. Knox County is on a Level 1 Snow Emergency.