Ohio, 2009

Extreme Cold in Ohio, January 15 to 18, 2009

January 15 to 18, 2009 · NWS CLE · 29 events in 29 counties and zones

A strong area of arctic high pressure moved from the Northern Plains on on January 15th to the Upper Ohio Valley by late in the day on January 16th. The high eventually shifted east of the area on the 17th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 29 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
29

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 CLE wrote it up.

A strong area of arctic high pressure moved from the Northern Plains on on January 15th to the Upper Ohio Valley by late in the day on January 16th. The high eventually shifted east of the area on the 17th. Very cold temperatures accompanied this high. The coldest temperatures since January 1994 were recorded at most observing sites. Gusty southwest to west winds made it feel even colder with wind chills colder than minus 25 reported from the evening of the 15th through the afternoon hours of the 16th. Winds eventually lessened early on the 17th which allowed temperatures to again plummet to 10 below or colder for the third morning in a row at many locations. Cooperative observers in Knox County reported lows of -28 and -29 on the 17th. Most of the schools in Northern Ohio were closed on both the 15th and 16th.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Cleveland, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 14, 11:50 PM EST, 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 14, 11:50 PM EST, 10 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
1150 PM EST WED JAN 14 2009

.SYNOPSIS...
A STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS SOUTHERN OHIO TONIGHT. THIS LOW
WILL BE EAST OF THE REGION ON THURSDAY WITH FRIGID TEMPERATURES
IN ITS WAKE. FRIGID TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE INTO THE WEEKEND
WITH SIGNIFICANT LAKE SNOWS POSSIBLE FOR NE OHIO INTO NW PA. THE
NEXT UPPER LEVEL STORM SYSTEM WILL ARRIVE ON FOR SATURDAY INTO
SUNDAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/...
UPDATE...SNOW ASSOCIATED WITH THE LOW IS BECOMING LIGHT SO REMOVED
THE LAST OF THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES. KEPT ALL OTHER
HEADLINES AS THEY WERE.  ALSO DROPPED LOWS A COUPLE DEGREES.

PREVIOUS...STORM SYSTEM WILL TRACK ACROSS SOUTHERN OHIO TONIGHT
WITH A SWATH OF HEAVIER SNOW SOUTH OF A FINDLAY TO MANSFIELD TO
CANTON LINE. IN THE WAKE OF THIS LOW WINDS WILL INCREASE FROM A
WESTERLY DIRECTION AND IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE WIND CHILLS AS LOW
AS -10 FOR LOCATIONS WEST OF A CLEVELAND TO CANTON LINE.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
FRIGID TEMPERATURES WILL BE THE MAIN STORY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT AS
THE COLDEST TEMPERATURES IN OVER A DECADE SLIDE INTO OHIO AND
NORTHWEST PA. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE UP ENOUGH TO WARRANT A WIND
CHILL ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT. AN APPROACHING STORM SYSTEM
ON FRIDAY MAY BE ENOUGH TO INCREASE WINDS SO THAT WIND CHILLS DIP
TO NEAR WIND CHILL WARNING VALUES (-25).

WESTERLY WINDS FLOWING OVER LAKE ERIE WILL ALSO BRING A PERIOD OF
LAKE EFFECT SNOW STARTING THURSDAY MORNING AND CONTINUING INTO
FRIDAY. STILL SOME ISSUE ON AMOUNTS WITH UNCERTAINTY TO IF THE
LAKE WILL ICE OVER ENOUGH TO DECREASE AMOUNTS. FOR NOW WILL MENTION
AT LEAST A FOOT FOR THE SNOW BELTS.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
ALTHOUGH MODEL TRACKS VARY SOME BOTH ENSEMBLES AND ECMWF DROP LOW
PRESSURE SYSTEM INTO SRN LOWER MICHIGAN BY SATURDAY EVENING...THEN
ACROSS LAKE ERIE/NORTHERN OHIO SUNDAY.  IF LOW DOES INDEED TRACK
ACROSS LAKE ERIE HEAVIEST SNOWS WILL BE NORTH OF THE AREA.  WILL
HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

MODELS BEGIN TO DIVERGE BY MONDAY MORNING BUT TREND IS FOR LOW TO
MOVE OFF MID ATLANTIC COAST AND MOVE NE INTO QUEBEC...WITH LONG WAVE
TROUGH OVER EASTERN LAKES.  HIGH PRESSURE FROM THE OHIO VALLEY
NUDGES OVER THE AREA TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
MAINLY LAKE EFFECT SHSN WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE TAF PERIOD WHILE
THE REST OF THE AREA SEES MAINLY VFR CONDITIONS AS LITTLE CHANGES
WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE OVERALL PATTERN.  AS USUAL...CONDITIONS IN
THE LAKE EFFECT SHSN WILL VARY CONSIDERABLY TEMPORALLY AND SPATIALLY
FROM VFR TO IFR.  CLE SHOULD STAY ON THE EDGE OF THE LAKE EFFECT
ACTIVITY SO AT TIMES A FEW SHSN MAY OCCUR AT CLE BUT IN GENERAL THE
SHSN SHOULD BE EAST OF CLE ACROSS THE SNOWBELT INCLUDING ERI.
LIKEWISE SOME OF THE REMNANTS OF THE SHSN MAY PUSH DOWN TO YNG FROM
TIME TO TIME AND POSSIBLY COULD EVEN BRIEFLY OCCUR AT CAK.

OUTLOOK...NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY THEN WEAK
RIDGING WILL WORK EAST ACROSS THE AREA LATE FRI AND FRI NITE TO
BRIEFLY END THE LAKE EFFECT SHSN.  THEN CONDITIONS WILL LIKELY
DETERIORATE LATE SAT INTO SAT NIGHT FROM WEST TO EAST AS ANOTHER
CLIPPER BRINGS ANOTHER ROUND OF WIDESPREAD SNOW TO THE REGION.  THIS
CLIPPER WILL BE SLOWER MOVING SO LOWER CONDITIONS WILL PROBABLY
LINGER THROUGH MOST OF SUNDAY AND THEN THE SHSN WILL AGAIN SHIFT
INTO MAINLY THE SNOWBELT BY SUNDAY NIGHT.

&&

.MARINE...
NORTHEAST WINDS WILL COME AROUND TO THE NORTHWEST AND PICK UP SOME
AS LOW PRESSURE PASSES TO THE SOUTH OF THE LAKE.  NEARSHORE FORECAST
WILL END FOR THE SEASON AFTER THE 10 PM ISSUANCE TONIGHT.  THEREFORE
NO SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY.  WEST-SOUTHWEST WINDS ON THE STRONGER SIDE
ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY AS STRONG HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS INTO THE
MIDWEST AND A TROUGH HANGS BACK OVER THE GREAT LAKES.  THE HIGH WILL
MOVE EAST OF THE LAKE FRIDAY NIGHT AND ALLOW FOR THE NEXT LOW TO
MOVE FROM THE WESTERN LAKES TO ERIE BY SUNDAY.  THEREFORE WINDS
INCREASE AGAIN SATURDAY FROM THE SOUTH.  FAVORED ECMWF HAS TRACK OF
LOW SOUTH OF THE LAKE ACROSS THE LAKE ON SUNDAY.  HAVE FORECAST
BELOW GALES ON SATURDAY AHEAD OF THIS SYSTEM...ALTHOUGH HAVE UPWARDS
OF 30 KNOTS.  LAKE ICE EXPECTED TO EXPAND OVER THE LAKE DURING THE
NEXT WEEK WITH TEMPERATURES AROUND AND BELOW ZERO.

&&

.CLE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY
     FOR OHZ012>014-089.
     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO 4 AM EST SATURDAY
     FOR OHZ012>014-022-023-033-089.
     WIND CHILL ADVISORY UNTIL 4 AM EST SATURDAY FOR OHZ003-006>011-
     017>021-027>032-036>038-047.
PA...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY
     FOR PAZ001>003.
     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO 4 AM EST SATURDAY
     FOR PAZ001>003.
MARINE...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS...MULLEN
NEAR TERM...TK/MULLEN
SHORT TERM...MULLEN
LONG TERM...DJB
AVIATION...ADAMS
MARINE...OUDEMAN
Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 14, 10:14 PM EST, 1 hour 46 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
1014 PM EST WED JAN 14 2009

OHZ012>014-089-PAZ001>003-160315-
LAKE-GEAUGA-ASHTABULA INLAND-ASHTABULA LAKESHORE-NORTHERN ERIE-
SOUTHERN ERIE-CRAWFORD PA-
1014 PM EST WED JAN 14 2009

...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO 7 PM EST
FRIDAY...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO 4 AM EST
SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST OHIO AND NORTHWEST
PENNSYLVANIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING.
   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

OHZ003-006>011-017>021-027>032-036>038-047-160315-
LUCAS-WOOD-OTTAWA-SANDUSKY-ERIE OH-LORAIN-CUYAHOGA-HANCOCK-SENECA-
HURON-MEDINA-SUMMIT-WYANDOT-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-ASHLAND-WAYNE-STARK-
MARION-MORROW-HOLMES-KNOX-
1014 PM EST WED JAN 14 2009

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL
OHIO...NORTHEAST OHIO AND NORTHWEST OHIO.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

OHZ022-023-033-160315-
PORTAGE-TRUMBULL-MAHONING-
1014 PM EST WED JAN 14 2009

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO 4 AM EST
SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST OHIO.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

LEZ061-142>149-162>169-160315-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM RIPLEY TO BUFFALO NY-
MAUMEE BAY TO RENO BEACH OH-RENO BEACH TO THE ISLANDS OH-
THE ISLANDS TO VERMILION OH-VERMILION TO AVON POINT OH-
AVON POINT TO WILLOWICK OH-WILLOWICK TO GENEVA-ON-THE LAKE OH-GENEVA-
ON-THE-LAKE TO CONNEAUT OH-CONNEAUT OH TO RIPLEY NY-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM MAUMEE BAY TO RENO BEACH-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM RENO BEACH TO THE ISLANDS-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM THE ISLANDS TO VERMILION-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM VERMILION TO AVON POINT-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM AVON POINT TO WILLOWICK-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM WILLOWICK TO GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE TO CONNEAUT-
LAKE ERIE OPEN WATERS FROM CONNEAUT OH TO RIPLEY NY-
1014 PM EST WED JAN 14 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR LAKE ERIE.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

29 extreme cold/wind chill. Local standard time, as filed.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Richland

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Richland forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
40.775, -82.536 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Richland County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. At Mansfield Lahm Airport sustained winds were between 10 and 20 mph from the evening of the 15th through the late afternoon hours of the 16th. Wind chills dipped below minus 30 at midnight on the 16th and didn't climb back above minus 30 till 10 am. The coldest wind chill reported was minus 34. Morning lows at Mansfield Lahm on the 15th through 17th were: -10, -13 and -14. The high temperature on the 16th was only 1 degree. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Ashland

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Ashland forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
40.846, -82.271 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Ashland County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. Morning lows were generally minus 10 or colder on the 15th, 16th and 17th. Temperatures struggled to get above zero for highs on the 16th. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Crawford

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Crawford forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.851, -82.920 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Crawford County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer in Galion reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -6, -16 and -16. At Bucyrus, morning lows from the 15th through the 17th were -8, -16 and -17 respectively. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Wyandot

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Wyandot forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.842, -83.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Wyandot County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer in Upper Sandusky reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -9, -17 and -17. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Morrow

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Morrow forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
40.524, -82.794 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Morrow County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer near Chesterville reported mornings on the 15th through 17th of 1, -13 and -14. Highs struggled to get above zero on the 16th. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Knox

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Knox forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.399, -82.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Knox County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. The coldest temperatures in northern Ohio were reported in Knox County. A cooperative observer in Danville reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -8, -19 and -29. At Fredericktown, morning lows from the 15th through the 17th were -22, -28 and -22 respectively. At Centerburg low temperatures were -11 and -12 on the 16th and 17th. High temperatures struggle to get above zero on the 16th. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Marion

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Marion forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
40.587, -83.161 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Marion County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. At the Marion County Airport sustained winds were between 10 and 20 mph from the evening of the 15th through the late afternoon hours of the 16th. Wind chills dipped below minus 30 at 3 am on the 16th and didn't climb back above minus 30 till 11 am. The coldest wind chill reported was minus 34. Morning lows at the Marion County Airport on the 15th through 17th were: -5, -22 and -18. The high temperature on the 16th was only 2 degrees. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Holmes

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Holmes forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.561, -81.929 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Holmes County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer in Millersburg reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -8, -15 and -21. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Wayne

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Wayne forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
40.829, -81.888 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Wayne County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. At the Wayne County sustained winds were between 10 and 20 mph from the evening of the 15th through the early morning hours of the 16th. Wind chills dipped below minus 25 at 11 pm on the 15th and didn't climb back above minus 25 till around daybreak on the 16th. The coldest wind chill reported was minus 28 at midnight on the 16th. Morning lows at the Wayne County Airport (located a couple miles north of Wooster) on the 15th through 17th were: -4, -13 and -20. A cooperative observer near Wooster reported a morning low of -18 on the 17th. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Hancock

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Hancock forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
41.002, -83.666 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Hancock County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for many hours on January 15th and 16th. At the Findlay Airport sustained winds were between 10 and 20 mph from the evening of the 15th through the late morning hours of the 16th. Wind chills dipped below minus 30 at 9 pm on the 16th and didn't climb back above minus 30 till 10 am on the 16th. The coldest wind chill reported was minus 35. Morning lows at the Findlay Airport on the 15th through 17th were: -9, -11 and -14. A cooperative observer in Findlay reported morning lows of -11 and -15 on the 15th and 16th. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Wood

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Wood forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
41.362, -83.623 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Wood County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. At Toledo Metcalf Airport in northern Wood County, sustained winds were between 10 and 20 mph from the evening of the 15th through the late afternoon hours of the 16th. Wind chills dipped below minus 30 at midnight on the 16th and didn't climb back above minus 30 till noon. The coldest wind chill reported was minus 37. Morning lows at Toledo Metcalf from the 15th through the 17th were: -10, -16 and -13. A cooperative observer in Bowling Green reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -7, -15 and -15. At Hoytville, morning lows from the 15th through the 17th were -11, -15 and -9 respectively. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Seneca

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Seneca forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.124, -83.128 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Seneca County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer in Tiffin reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -6, -16 and -15. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Sandusky

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Sandusky forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.357, -83.144 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Sandusky County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer in Fremont reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -5, -14 and -14. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Huron

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Huron forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.146, -82.598 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Huron County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer in Norwalk reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -3, -14 and -14. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Medina

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Medina forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.118, -81.900 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Medina County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer in Chippewa Lake reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -6, -14 and -15. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Erie

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Erie forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.432, -82.700 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Erie County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer in Sandusky reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -6, -12 and -6. Most if not all of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lucas

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Lucas forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
41.684, -83.468 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Lucas County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. At the Toledo Express Airport sustained winds were between 10 and 20 mph from the evening of the 15th through late morning on the 16th. Wind chills dipped below minus 30 at midnight on the 16th and didn't climb back above minus 30 till 10 am. The coldest wind chill reported was minus 34 degrees. Morning lows at Toledo Express on the 15th through 17th were: -2, -14 and -14. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lorain

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Lorain forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
41.453, -82.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Lorain County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. At the Lorain County Airport sustained winds were between 10 and 20 mph from the evening of the 15th through the late afternoon hours of the 16th. Wind chills dipped below minus 30 at 3 am on the 16th and didn't climb back above minus 30 till 10 am. The coldest wind chill reported was minus 34. Morning lows at the Lorain County Airport on the 15th through 17th were: -6, -13 and -14. A cooperative observer near Oberlin reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of -5, -14 and -15. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Ottawa

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Ottawa forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.497, -82.941 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Ottawa County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 25 for several hours on January 16th. Morning lows the 15th, 16th and 17th were well below zero across the entire county. Morning lows on the 16th and 17th were colder than minus 10 at most locations. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Stark

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Stark forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
40.814, -81.366 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Stark County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 25 for several hours on January 16th. Morning lows the 15th, 16th and 17th were well below zero across the entire county. Morning lows on the 16th and 17th were colder than minus 10 at most locations. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Summit

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Summit forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
41.126, -81.532 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Summit County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. At the Akron-Canton Regional Airport sustained winds were between 10 and 20 mph from the evening of the 15th through the afternoon hours of the 16th. Wind chills dipped below minus 30 at 4 am on the 16th and didn't climb back above minus 30 till 11 am. The coldest wind chill reported was minus 34 degrees. Morning lows at Akron-Canton Regional Airport on the 15th through 17th were: -5, -14 and -14. At Akron Fulton Airport morning lows from the 15th through 17th were -2, -11 and -15. A cooperative observer in Munroe Falls reported morning lows from the 15th through the 17th of -2, -10 and -14. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Cuyahoga

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Cuyahoga forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
41.479, -81.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Cuyahoga County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 30 for several hours on January 16th. At Cleveland Hopkins International Airport sustained winds were between 10 and 20 mph from the evening of the 15th through the afternoon hours of the 16th. Gusts exceeded 25 mph at times during the evening of the 15th. Wind chills at Cleveland Hopkins dipped below minus 30 at 4 am on the 16th and didn't climb back above minus 30 till 11 am. The coldest wind chill reported was minus 32 degrees. Morning lows at Cleveland Hopkins on the 15th through 17th were: -6, -13 and -9. At Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport morning lows from the 15th through 17th were 7, -9 and -3. Most of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Trumbull

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Trumbull forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
41.317, -80.761 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Trumbull County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 25 for several hours on January 16th. At the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport sustained winds were between 10 and 15 mph from the evening of the 15th through the afternoon hours of the 16th. Wind chills dipped below minus 25 at 3 am on the 16th and didn't climb back above minus 30 till midday. The coldest wind chill reported was minus 28 degrees. Lows at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport on the 15th through 17th were: -3, -10 and -9. A cooperative observer near Warren reported morning lows from the 15th through 17th of -4, -11 and -21. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Ashtabula

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 18, 8:00 PM EST
Where
Ashtabula forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
41.896, -80.759 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Ashtabula County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 20 for several hours on January 16th. At the Ashtabula County Airport near Jefferson, sustained winds were between 10 and 15 mph from the evening of the 15th through the afternoon hours of the 16th. The coldest wind chill reported at the airport was minus 26 degrees. Morning lows at the Ashtabula County Airport on the 15th through 17th were: 11, -9 and -9. A cooperative observer near Dorset reported lows on the 15th through 17th of -2, -15 and -12. Most of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Mahoning

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Mahoning forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.015, -80.776 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Mahoning County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 25 for several hours on January 16th. Morning lows the 15th, 16th and 17th were well below zero across the entire county. Morning lows on the 16th and 17th were colder than minus 10 at most locations. All of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Ashtabula Lakeshore

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Ashtabula Lakeshore forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.896, -80.759 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in northern Ashtabula County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 20 for several hours on January 16th. Morning lows the 15th, 16th and 17th were below zero across the entire county. Most of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Portage

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Portage forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.168, -81.197 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Portage County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 25 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer in Ravenna reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: 2, -3 and -7. A cooperative observer near Hiram reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -5, -12 and -17. Most if not all of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Geauga

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Geauga forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.500, -81.179 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Geauga County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 25 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer near Chardon reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: -8, -11 and -11. Most if not all of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lake

When
January 15, 12:00 AM EST to January 17, 6:00 PM EST
Where
Lake forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.714, -81.245 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bitterly cold temperatures were reported in Lake County on January 15th through the 17th. Temperatures were the coldest since January of 1994. Gusty southwest to west winds accompanied the cold temperatures and created wind chills colder than minus 20 for several hours on January 16th. A cooperative observer near Painesville reported morning lows on the 15th through 17th of: 4, -9 and -4. Most if not all of the schools in the county were closed on the 15th and 16th.

What these are

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Temperatures or wind chills at or below the local warning criteria, or cold that caused deaths.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Ohio in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, January 2009

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: 150083, 150084, 150085, 150086, 150087, 150089, 150090, 151486, 151492, 151502, 151503, 151506, 151507, 151512, 151513, 151514, 151515, 151520, 151596, 151597, 151598, 151599, 151605, 151613, 151615, 151616, 151619, 151622, 151624.