Snowfall from Sunday continuing into Monday caused disruptions across Licking County where school districts canceled classes and the sheriff’s office declared a weather emergency.
The band of heavy snow, which hit other areas of central Ohio, forced Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp to declare a level two snow emergency for the region. The declaration declared roadways as hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and that people should only drive if necessary.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington issued a winter storm warning for several central Ohio counties, including Licking. Winds had been gusting snow as high as 35 miles per hour, causing low visibility and impacting morning and evening commutes. The agency scheduled the warning to end at 11:59 p.m. on Monday.
Around 7 a.m. on Monday, NWS Wilmington had estimated that more than 3 inches of snow accumulated in Newark and more than 4 in Hebron. Pataskala and Granville accumulated 3 inches, according to the estimates.
The Licking County Library closed all its locations on Monday because of inclement weather. The snow also forced Lakewood Local School District, Heath City Schools, Licking Heights Local Schools and Newark City Schools, among others, to cancel classes on Monday.
NWS Wilmington forecasted more snowfall in Licking County throughout Monday, with temperatures remaining in the 20s.
As of 11 a.m. on Monday, NWS Wilmington had forecasted less severe conditions for Licking County throughout the week, starting with a partly cloudy day on Tuesday with a high around 25 degrees. The agency expects a slight chance of snow showers on Wednesday with a high of 24 degrees before a partly sunny Thursday.
The agency anticipates conditions will remain mostly cloudy on Friday with temperatures in the 20s before potential snowfall on Saturday. A high near 31 degrees is expected for Sunday.
The Licking County Emergency Warming Center Task Force announced Saturday it will be opening a warming center this week for people in need. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 592 W. Main St., will open its doors at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Licking Memorial Health Systems will offer free evening and morning meals at the site while Licking County Transit offers free transportation to the center.
Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com.
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