Ohio State preparing for snowfall, frigid temperatures through Wednesday

The Ohio State University is preparing for snowfall and frigid temperatures this weekend and early next week. Wind chills will be in the single digits or below zero Saturday through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

On Tuesday at 6 a.m., Columbus and Newark can expect a windchill of -15, while the other Ohio State campuses will dip to -18 wind chill.

For the Columbus and Newark campuses, light snow is expected to begin around 3 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday will bring the heaviest snow, with between 6 and 7 inches falling during this time period. Another inch will fall overnight, with up to an inch expected by Monday morning before 8 a.m. Columbus and Newark should plan for a total of between 11 and 13 inches of snow.

For the Mansfield and Wooster campuses, snowfall is expected to begin between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday. Heavier accumulation will arrive on Sunday and continue into Monday morning, with a total of 8 to 10 inches expected.

At the Marion campus, light snow may start falling late Saturday afternoon with the intensity increasing between 6 and 7 p.m. Snowfall will be steady throughout the day on Sunday and into early Monday, with a total of 8 to 9 inches expected.

At the Lima campus, snow is projected to begin falling around 10 p.m. Saturday. Snow is expected to continue throughout the day on Sunday into early Monday, for a total of 6 to 7 inches.

The Columbus campus rarely cancels in-person classes due to winter weather. Should the university need to transition to fully remote instruction, information will be communicated through the Buckeye Alert system. Campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark and Wooster have different criteria for closures, and will communicate directly with regional campus students, faculty and staff as needed. Read this 2023 Ohio State News story for more about the university's winter weather policy.

The university is asking instructors and managers to provide flexibility and understanding to students, staff and faculty impacted by the storm, particularly early in the morning. Students requesting special accommodations necessitated by weather will be accountable for any material and assignments missed during an absence from class.

Travelers should anticipate a slow commute. Plan ahead, leave early and allow extra time to arrive at your destination. Safety is the university's top priority, and Facilities Operations and Development (FOD), CampusParc, Transportation and Traffic Management (TTM) and the Department of Public Safety work together to offer services during the winter months to keep the community safe.

As snow and ice start to collect, FOD teams are dispatched to treat campus roadways and sidewalks. They remain on campus throughout the day and night, treating and plowing as needed. CampusParc crews will also be on campus treating parking lots and garages, with garage rooftops remaining open when possible. Learn more on the CampusParc website .

TTM's paratransit service provides curb-to-curb transportation to all students, faculty and staff with a permanent or temporary disability. Riders need to be registered prior to receiving service. Service is available on and off campus within university boundaries. TTM transit and paratransit vehicles are all ADA-accessible. Learn more on the Transportation and Traffic Management website.

TTM will continue to offer bus service, but users are encouraged to utilize the Ohio State app for real-time CABS tracking to stay updated on CABS service offerings.

Please exercise caution during inclement weather and be prepared. When traveling, plan ahead, allow extra time and dress appropriately for the weather. If travelers see a potentially unsafe condition on campus due to ice or snow, they should not try to rectify the situation; instead, report it to Service2Facilities at 614-292-4357 (report unsafe ice or snow conditions in the Wexner Medical Center to 614-293-8645 ).

Off-campus locations, including roads and sidewalks east of High Street, are not cleared by Ohio State and are the responsibility of the city of Columbus and residents.

The Ohio State Department of Athletics continues to monitor weather conditions and has adjusted weekend schedules for some teams. They will continue to share updates with fans on their website as needed.