Winter Storm Fern Shuts Down Central Ohio Roads

Central Ohioans woke up to an all-too-familiar sight on January 25, 2026: snow blanketing streets, empty sidewalks, and a biting wind chill that made venturing outside a daunting prospect. As Winter Storm Fern barreled through the region, it quickly became clear that this was no ordinary winter day. The National Weather Service warned of at least 10 inches of snow falling throughout the day, with wind chill values plunging to between -15 and -10 degrees Fahrenheit, according to WSYX.

By late morning, the situation had escalated dramatically. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office declared a Level 3 snow emergency, effectively closing all roadways to non-emergency personnel. “No one should drive in these conditions unless travel is absolutely necessary or for a personal emergency,” the sheriff’s office announced, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch. For those who dared to brave the elements, the consequences could be more than just a fender bender—violators risked arrest for being on the roads.

Franklin County wasn’t alone. By 10 a.m., at least a dozen counties across Central Ohio, including Athens, Crawford, Fairfield, Hocking, Jackson, Knox, Licking, Morrow, Muskingum, Pike, Ross, and Vinton, were also under Level 3 snow emergencies. The criteria for these levels are well-defined: Level 1 means hazardous roads and caution is advised; Level 2 restricts travel to only those who deem it necessary; and Level 3 closes roads to all but emergency personnel, as outlined by the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and echoed by Fox19 and Enquirer partners.

Elsewhere in Ohio, counties such as Hamilton, Warren, Butler, and Clermont, as well as cities in Northern Kentucky like Boone, Kenton, and Campbell, were under Level 2 snow emergencies. Under this designation, only necessary travel was recommended, with employees encouraged to check with their workplaces before heading out. Even in areas with Level 1 emergencies, residents were urged to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. The fluffy, easily blown snow brought visibility down to a crawl, and icy patches made driving treacherous, according to The Enquirer.

The storm’s impact stretched far beyond just travel. Institutions across the region shuttered their doors. The Columbus Metropolitan Library, the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, and numerous community centers closed for the day. “Library branches would be closed Jan. 25 due to the weather,” the Columbus Metropolitan Library posted on its website, as cited by The Columbus Dispatch. Community centers in Dublin, Westerville, Worthington, and Upper Arlington all suspended activities, some transforming into warming centers for those in need. The Dublin Community Recreation Center, for example, remained open as a shelter, but residents were asked to call police before arriving.

Education took a hit as well. Ohio State University canceled all in-person classes for January 26 and 27, shifting to virtual instruction, while local school districts including Brice Christian Academy, Circleville City Schools, Delaware City Schools, and more announced closures for January 26. The ripple effects of the storm were felt by families, students, and workers alike.

Air travel wasn’t spared either. Flight delays and cancellations mounted at John Glenn Columbus International Airport as snow continued to accumulate on runways and access roads. The National Weather Service noted snowfall rates of about one inch per hour, with weather spotters in Gahanna and London reporting 11 inches by 11 a.m. on January 26. According to The Columbus Dispatch, “the storm will likely drop the most snow Columbus has seen on a single day in more than a decade.”

Traffic cameras told the story in stark images: interstates and surface streets coated in white, cars inching along in single-file lines, and snowplows working overtime to clear the way. In downtown Columbus, sidewalks that would normally be bustling at lunchtime were nearly deserted, with only a few brave souls forging paths through shin-deep drifts. City vehicles and local property managers plowed streets, but the snow kept falling, undeterred.

The numbers were staggering. By noon, some sidewalks in downtown Columbus measured 8.5 inches of snow. Neighborhoods across the city reported similar totals: Hilliard saw 8 inches by 8:26 a.m., Gahanna matched that at 8 a.m., and Delaware recorded 7 inches at 7:45 a.m. The National Weather Service’s interactive maps tracked real-time snow totals, confirming what many residents could see from their windows—this was a winter wallop for the record books.

Parking restrictions and emergency protocols became the norm in cities across the region. In Cincinnati, a snow emergency meant vehicles parked in designated “Snow Emergency Zones” had to be moved or risk being towed. Blue Ash, Crestview Hills, Falmouth, Florence, Fort Mitchell, Ft. Wright, Independence, Mount Healthy, Oxford, Southgate, Springdale, and Taylor Mill all issued varying levels of snow emergencies, with many banning on-street parking to make way for plows and emergency vehicles. Residents were repeatedly advised to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, and to move vehicles off streets whenever possible.

For those who felt compelled to shovel their driveways or sidewalks, doctors offered a sobering warning. Michael Jolly, an interventional cardiologist at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, explained, “In cardiology, it’s well established that when the first snow of the year comes in, there’s going to be a heart attack.” The combination of intense physical exertion and cold exposure can trigger cardiovascular emergencies, especially for older adults or those with underlying health conditions. The message was clear: if in doubt, ask for help or wait for the snow to subside.

As the storm raged on, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) reminded the public that it does not issue snow emergency levels; those decisions come from local sheriff’s offices or news outlets. ODOT urged residents to check reliable sources for the latest updates and to stay home if at all possible. The agency’s traffic cameras and social media feeds provided a real-time look at road conditions, reinforcing the wisdom of heeding the warnings.

With snow still falling and temperatures refusing to budge, Central Ohioans hunkered down, awaiting the storm’s end. For many, it was a day spent indoors, watching the landscape transform and hoping the power stayed on. For emergency workers, plow drivers, and first responders, it was another long day on the front lines, keeping the region safe and moving—one slow mile at a time.

As Winter Storm Fern made its mark, the community’s resilience and caution became the story. The lessons were unmistakable: heed the warnings, check on neighbors, and, above all, stay safe until the snow emergency passes.