Level One snow emergencies were declared by sheriff’s offices in Richland, Ashland and Crawford counties Tuesday morning.
Knox County issued a Level One and later upgraded it to a Level Two.
A Level One means roads are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads also may be icy. Motorists are urged to drive with caution.
Many area school districts are closed on Tuesday.
Snow began falling, as predicted, on Monday evening and continued throughout the night. The National Weather Service office in Cleveland issued a winter weather advisory for Monday night that continues until Tuesday at 1 p.m.
Two to five inches of snow are expected across the region.
Sheriff’s offices and departments collaborate with county emergency managers to determine whether current conditions with the weather and roadways constitute issuing a snow emergency level.
Since 1994, county sheriffs have had the authority to issue snow emergencies, using guidelines given by the state.
SNOW EMERGENCY DEFINITIONS
LEVEL 1: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads also may be icy. Motorists are urged to drive with caution.
LEVEL 2: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads also may be very icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work. Motorists should use extreme caution.
LEVEL 3: All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be driving during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel or a personal emergency exists. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roads may be subject to arrest.
Snow is expected to continue today, primarily before 11 a.m. There is a chance of snow showers this afternoon.
Here is the NWS forecast then for the next several days:
Tuesday night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Southwest wind around 6 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Southwest wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Wednesday Night
Snow showers likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 23. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 4.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 26.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29.
Sunday Night
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 27.