Columbus buried in snow: Some areas see up to 17 inches, strange level three alert

Columbus and surrounding areas are seeing unusual snowfall this week, with some parts reporting up to 17 inches of snow. Typically, northern Ohio gets hit harder, but this storm appears to have tracked from the south, leaving even central and southern communities buried. Roads are slippery, visibility is low, and travel has been limited as officials urge residents to stay off the streets.Level three winter weather alerts have been issued for much of Franklin County and neighboring areas. Level three is serious — it means you really shouldn’t go out unless it’s an emergency. What makes this unusual is that large cities like Columbus rarely see this kind of alert. In smaller towns, authorities often restrict travel to keep people safe and allow snowplows to clear roads, but it’s not common in bigger metropolitan areas.Despite the alert, many people have been venturing out, though traffic is lighter than usual. Some drivers are cautious, while others risk tickets or accidents. Snow removal crews have been busy trying to keep main roads passable, but residential streets are still covered in heavy snow. Local officials emphasize patience and caution, as road conditions may remain treacherous for a while.This storm is a reminder of how unpredictable winter weather can be, even in cities that usually have the infrastructure to handle snow. Columbus residents are advised to check local updates, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep emergency supplies handy.For more updates and coverage of Columbus weather and other news, check out my work at https://www.cleveland.com/staff/cpugh/ and support the podcast at https://linktr.ee/ChrisPughEdits. Stay safe out there, Columbus!#ColumbusSnow, #OhioWeather, #WinterStorm, #SnowAlert, #LevelThree, #ColumbusOhio, #Snowfall, #WinterWeather, #Snowstorm2026, #SnowSafety, #SnowPlows, #TravelWarning, #SnowUpdate, #SnowEmergency, #ColumbusNews, #OhioSnow, #HeavySnow, #SnowConditions, #SnowCoverage, #WinterSafety