It's looking more and more like snow and ice will blanket Cincinnati this week, and city officials are preparing for the onslaught.
During a media briefing Wednesday at the Valley View Salt Dome, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, Assistant City Manager Sheryl Long and Traffic and Road Superintendent Jarrod Bolden implored city residents to heed snow and ice warnings and stay home.
"With the ice, it could be very dangerous for drivers to be out there. Your safety is paramount," Long said.
On Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service in Wilmington upgraded the Cincinnati area from a winter storm watch to a winter storm warning, thanks to Winter Storm Landon moving throughout the Rockies, Plains, Midwest and beyond. Meteorologists predict rain in the area beginning on Wednesday, becoming sleet, ice and snow through Thursday. Though the exact amount of precipitation expected hasn't been determined, the NWS says that the storm will continue through Friday.
"A potent winter storm will move into the region today through Thursday, bringing a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow to the region. Drier weather is expected by later Friday, but with very cold air moving in for the weekend," the NWS predicts.
[9:30AM] Any way you look at it, Thursday travel will be a mess. There is potential for a prolonged period of SLEET in the areas identified on the commute time maps below. Hazardous travel, heavy snow to the north, and winds to 25-30mph through the day will be rough. pic.twitter.com/iWay95N55M
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) February 2, 2022
[9:55 AM] Winter Storm Warning now in effect for the entire NWS Wilmington area. A prolonged transition from rain to mix to snow especially for areas along and south of I-70. Gusty winds Thursday will contribute to travel hazards and possible power issues. pic.twitter.com/zmAw2T8zRx
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) February 2, 2022
"This is one of the worst combinations we could expect with the rain and then the ice and then the accumulating snow coming on top of that," Bolden told reporters.
Bolden repeatedly said that Cincinnati residents should stay at home and off the roads during the storm so that the Department of Public Services can clear or treat the streets.
"If you don't have to travel when the conditions are the worst, stay at home," Bolden said.
"From an operational standpoint, it's important for everyone to know that it's going to take time," he added. "These type of conditions, one single pass is not going to clear a road. We're probably going to have to have multiple passes on main thoroughfares. But we'll be out here until it's done."
Bolden said that crews haven't pre-treated Cincinnati streets because today's predicted rain would wash the chemicals away. He added that last week's snowfall took everyone by surprise, but crews are more prepared now.
"Every snow event is different, and sometimes Mother Nature gives you more than you expect. I think that's what happened last week. Most of the meteorologists, they didn't expect what we got," Bolden said. "In this particular case, we plan on putting the plows on ahead of time, so the plows will be on the truck. Anytime you hear snow accumulation totals ranging from two to five inches, that's a point that we will want to make sure the plows are already on."
Bolden said that crews will begin 12-hour shifts at 7 p.m. Wednesday and will remain until the storm is over. He said that the city's snow plan is flexible because of the uncertainty around how much precipitation the area will get.
"I think our main concern right now is the predictions about what's coming and how that plays out. Is it going to be a longer period of rain? Is it going to be a longer period of ice? Are we going to get a half-inch of ice? Are we going to get an inch of ice? Are we going to get two inches of snow? Are we going to get five inches of snow?" Bolden wondered. "There are so many questions to be answered. One of the things we have to do is keep a flexible operation in order to be able to adjust to whatever may happen."
Cincinnati residents can monitor main and neighborhood roads in real-time through the city's snow plow tracker. The tracker shows the time of the most recent treatment, and the data is searchable by time range, street name and neighborhood.
Residents can also call the Department of Public Services at 513-591-6000 to get street information or provide information about weather-related incidents on the roads.
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