Winter blast felt through Crawford County

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While local residents enjoyed warmer than normal temperatures in December, old man winter is alive and well with around an inch of snow falling on Crawford County on Tuesday.

A mixture of snow, ice and wind gusts up to 34 miles per hour made driving on area roads hazardous which led to school closings throughout the county. Crawford County Sheriff Scott Kent placed the county under a level one snow advisory early Tuesday morning.

Galion city crews began plowing and salting the city streets at 5 a.m.

“We are fighting the wind now with snow drifting in some open areas and snow blowing off buildings in some areas,” said Al Baker, superintendent of the city’s service department.

City crews continue to work to keep the city streets as clear as possible.

“The streets are in pretty good shape but the temperature is dropping so that may be an issue later today,” Baker said late Tuesday morning.

According to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were busy with a few vehicles in ditches due to slippery road conditions but there were no serious crashes. The Bucyrus Post of the State Highway Patrol’s report is similar with a few vehicles in ditches but no serious crashes. Both the Galion and Bucyrus Police Departments are reporting there were no crashes in either city due to poor road conditions.

Cold weather is in the forecast for tonight with wind chills as now as 12 degrees below zero, according to the National Weather Service. Wednesday the high is expected to be near 17 degrees with a chance of snow showers predicted for Wednesday night. The high on Thursday is expected to rise to a high near 34 degrees.

Drivers were careful driving Tuesday morning through Uptowne Galion.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/01/web1_weather-1.jpgDrivers were careful driving Tuesday morning through Uptowne Galion.

George Spradlin of Galion shovels a walkway in front of US Bank in Uptowne Galion.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/01/web1_weather1.jpgGeorge Spradlin of Galion shovels a walkway in front of US Bank in Uptowne Galion.
Snow, ice, heavy winds hit area Tuesday morning

By Kimberly Gasuras

Galion Inquirer

WINTER-WISE DRIVING TIPS

* Pay attention to weather reports on the radio. Allow time in your schedule for bad weather and/or traffic delays.

* Become familiar with your vehicle’s winter weather operating characteristics. Front-wheel-drive vehicles generally handle better than rear-wheel vehicles on slippery roads because the weight of the engine is on the drive wheels, improving traction.

* Keep your windows clear of snow and ice. Remember to clean head, tail and brake lights.

* If you need to turn on your wipers, turn on your headlights. Effective January 1, 2010, Ohio law requires drivers to turn on vehicle headlights whenever windshield wipers are in operation due to any precipitation. Failing to do so is a secondary offense, meaning motorists cannot be stopped solely for failing to have lights on with wipers. They must be stopped for another offense, such as speeding, before they can be ticketed and fined for not having headlights on. Fines start at $100.

* To prevent fuel line freeze-up, keep your gas tank at least half full. Fill your gas tank before your vehicle is parked for lengthy periods.

* Leave ample stopping time between you and the driver in front of you. Braking distance can be up to nine times greater on snowy, icy surfaces than on dry roads.

* If your vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), be sure to: STOMP – firmly depress the brake pedal. STAY on the brakes – do not pump the brakes. STEER where you want the vehicle to go.

* Gently pump non-ABS brakes to stop the vehicle. Take any corrective action gradually. You need to maintain full control of the vehicle. Refer to the vehicle operations manual for proper methods to correct skids.

* During winter travel, it is best to supply those at your destination with the following information: your cell phone number, departure time, travel route and anticipated arrival time.

* Lock your vehicle, even in bad weather. If locks freeze, heat the key. Do not pour hot water on the locks – they will refreeze.

* Drive with extreme caution on bridges and overpasses during freezing temperatures. Because bridge temperatures can be 5-6 degrees colder than roadways, they can become slick and icy before roads.

* Stay with your vehicle while warming it up. An unattended, running car invites theft.

SOURCE: http://www.weathersafety.ohio.gov/wintervehiclesafetytips.aspx

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