Ohio, 1998

Winter Storm in Ohio, February 3 to 5, 1998

February 3 to 5, 1998 · NWS ILN · 12 events in 12 counties and zones

A powerful East coast storm brought significant moisture west of the Appalachians and by the time it was over, from 8 to 24 inches of snow had accumulated over southern Ohio. 5 inches for the storm total, which set a record amount for any snowstorm in Cincinnati history.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 12 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
12

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS ILN wrote it up.

A powerful East coast storm brought significant moisture west of the Appalachians and by the time it was over, from 8 to 24 inches of snow had accumulated over southern Ohio. The Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky airport received 18.5 inches for the storm total, which set a record amount for any snowstorm in Cincinnati history. Numerous traffic accidents occurred as the snow fell too quickly for road crews to keep the roads clear.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Adams

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Adams forecast zone
Coordinates
38.846, -83.472 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Brown

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Brown forecast zone
Coordinates
38.934, -83.867 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Butler

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Butler forecast zone
Coordinates
39.439, -84.576 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Clermont

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Clermont forecast zone
Coordinates
39.047, -84.152 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Clinton

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Clinton forecast zone
Coordinates
39.415, -83.808 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Fayette

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Fayette forecast zone
Coordinates
39.560, -83.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Hamilton

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Hamilton forecast zone
Coordinates
39.196, -84.543 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Highland

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Highland forecast zone
Coordinates
39.185, -83.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Pike

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Pike forecast zone
Coordinates
39.077, -83.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Ross

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Ross forecast zone
Coordinates
39.338, -83.057 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Scioto

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Scioto forecast zone
Coordinates
38.804, -82.993 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Warren

When
February 3, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Warren forecast zone
Coordinates
39.428, -84.167 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Ohio in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, February 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5629175, 5629176, 5629177, 5629178, 5629179, 5629346, 5629347, 5629348, 5629349, 5629350, 5629351, 5629352.