There were multiple reports of over 6 inches of snow in Butler and Warren counties, including 7.3 inches in Fairfield and Hamilton. The Cincinnati airport, which is in northern Kentucky, reported 8.4 inches of snowfall.
Whatever snow we do end up with is likely to stay for awhile, as the high temperature is not forecast to get above 30 degrees all this week.
The National Weather Service said wind chill values around, or below, zero degrees are expected each night Tuesday through Friday.
Tuesday will be at least partly cloudy and cold with highs near 27 degrees, followed by a mostly cloudy overnight as lows fall near 13 degrees.
Wednesday will be cloudy with a high of 23 degrees. Scattered snow showers are possible. Overnight, it’ll be mostly cloudy with a low of 7 degrees.
The heavy snow closed all public and private schools in the two counties and most government offices were only open for essential services.
A Level 2 emergency was issued by Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones Sunday night. In a Facebook message early Monday, Jones said he does not anticipate the need to raise to a level 3.
“A level two is don’t go out unless you have to,” Jones said. “A level three is everything is shut down. You are not allowed out unless you are an emergency service worker. I don’t foresee a level 3 at this point.”
Jones said to “drive cautiously, drive slow, watch the other person. Don’t go out unless you have to ... give them (plow workers) time to get his done.
Most municipal and county offices closed Monday, including the city of Hamilton customer service. Fitton Center, Warren County administration offices, Butler County offices, the City of Middletown and Fairfield courts were closed.
Many businesses and hospitals also closed outpatient offices for the day and Rumpke said trash pickup for Monday would be delayed one day.
Middletown Public Works Director Scott Tadych estimated Monday morning that the city had about eight inches on the ground and a second round falling.
“Most of the heavy stuff came overnight. Looks like it is all snow right now. I haven’t seen any ice come through so far, Tadych said, added the temperature is not coming up “anytime soon” so the snow from this storm will be around awhile.
“We are going to be dealing with it for a while,” he said.
Tadych said it is the first big snow the region has been hit with at one time in about the past five years.
“We have been fortunate the past several years,” he said. In 2024, the city only used a thousand tons for salt and “we usually budget for about 4,500 tons.”
City plows and salt trucks were out about 10 a.m. Sunday and have been working continuously. There about 20 truck out with the focus on the main roads and hills.
“The side streets right now are still snow covered for the most part. The main roads have been plowed, but there is still thin sheet of snow. That’s going to take a while before people see clear pavement, with the temperatures dropping salt becomes less effective,” Tadych said.
A Level 1 snow emergency means roads are dangerous with drifting and/or blowing snow. Streets could also be icy. Motorists are advised to drive cautiously.
A Level 2 emergency means only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be on the roads. Individuals should speak to their employers if they still need to come into work.
A Level 3 snow emergency closes roads to non-emergency personnel. No one should be on the roads unless it is necessary to travel. People should contact their employers to see if they need to report to work.
Another band of snow was expected through the region Monday, likely bringing another 2-3 inches between Interstate 70 and the Ohio River. Some areas closer to the river received a wintry mix of precipitation, while areas closer to I-70 received mostly get snow.
At 11 p.m. Sunday, the Ohio Department of Transportation said they had more than 880 crews out working statewide, and more than 200 plow trucks in southwest Ohio.
“Conditions could worsen overnight, so if you don’t have to go out, stay home. It’s messy out there,” ODOT officials said on social media. “...It’s insane we have to say it — give us room to work.”
The Dayton International Airport has been affected by the storm, according to the FlyDayton.com airport website.
Of the 11 flights that were supposed to take off between 5:30 and 8:15 a.m. Monday, four were cancelled (two to Washington D.C. and one each to Charlotte, North Carolina, and New York), at least two were delayed (to Charlotte, North Carolina, and Dallas), and five were listed as either being in air or having departed (Atlanta, Raleigh, North Carolina; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Chicago; and Philadelphia).
As of 8:15 a.m., most of the 18 other flights for Monday are listed as “scheduled,” with the exception of the 9:05 a.m. flight to Chicago and the 10:29 a.m. flight to D.C., both of which were listed as cancelled.
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