Central Ohio’s cold weather advisory is in effect, with frigid temperatures and snow expected, but it’s not as severe as initially thought
Columbus: The cold snap coming up isn’t as bad as we first thought, but don’t get too comfy. You won’t be pulling out your summer clothes just yet.
What was once an Extreme Cold Watch has now been downgraded to a cold weather advisory. Still, it’s going to be chilly.
Folks in central Ohio should brace for subzero temps starting early Monday. The advisory kicks in at 1 a.m. and lasts until 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Even though it’s a lower-level warning, it’s still going to be really cold. Wind chills could hit 19 degrees below zero, according to the National Weather Service.
On top of that, we might see some snow showers Sunday afternoon into the evening. They’re not expecting much accumulation, but it could make the roads slick.
To help out, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is opening warming centers at five community centers on Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. It’s a good spot to stay warm.
If you need a place to escape the cold, the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library will open its lobby and auditorium from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.
Just a heads up, all other community centers and library locations will be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The annual march has been canceled due to the cold, but the program at the Lincoln Theatre at 5 p.m. is still on.
The NWS suggests dressing in layers, including a hat and gloves, if you have to go outside. And don’t forget to keep your pets inside as much as you can.
When will the cold subside?
The advisory wraps up Wednesday at 10 a.m., but it’ll only warm up to about 14 degrees during the day.
By Thursday, we should see more typical winter temps, with highs around 31 degrees and lows near 19.
Looking ahead to the weekend of January 25, we might even hit the upper 30s, which will feel like a heatwave after this cold snap!
Sophia Veneziano is a Columbus Dispatch reporter supported by the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation. She may be reached at sveneziano@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio cold weather watch downgraded by National Weather Service
