Winter Weather — Athens, Ohio

2014-01-06 · Athens, Ohio

Wider weather episode

An arctic cold front sweep through southeast Ohio just after midnight on Monday the 6th. Rain showers and temperatures in the 40s quickly became snow showers with temperatures falling through the 20s by the predawn hours.

During these predawn hours, an Athens County woman with mental health issues went outside in Knollwood Trailer Park. This mobile home park was located just southwest of the city of Athens. She apparently slipped and fell a few times on driveways. Detectives concluded she staggered and collapsed in a yard. She was not found until after daybreak and likely died of exposure.

Snow accumulations across southeast Ohio were less than 2 inches. Temperatures continued to fall during the day on the 6th, with blustery winds. Readings reached down to either side of zero by sunset.

Temperatures at dawn on the 7th were mostly 5 below zero to 10 below zero. Wind chill readings bottomed out around minus 25 degrees overnight and into the morning hours.

Despite sunshine, temperatures were slow to rise during the day on the 7th. However, the wind did subside during the mid and late afternoon.

A scattering of frozen pipes, power outages, home furnace difficulties, and vehicular engine problems occurred during the cold wave. Repair companies were kept busy. School systems were closed.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 482129. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.