Image: User-submitted photo, December 2025
By Hannah Miller, Swikblog Weather Desk
Published: December 2, 2025
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Central Ohio woke up to snow-covered roads on Tuesday morning, as light but steady overnight snow pushed several counties into Level 1 snow emergencies and forced schools to close or move to two-hour delays.
According to early-morning updates from WSYX/FOX28 in Columbus and local school closing lists, snow totals of up to four inches have been enough to make side streets and rural routes slick, especially before road crews could fully catch up.
While major interstates are being treated and remain open, many districts have decided it is safer to keep buses off the roads for part of the morning — or all day — as plows and salt trucks work through neighborhood routes.
Which Central Ohio counties are under a snow emergency today?
As of early Tuesday, multiple Central Ohio counties were reporting a Level 1 Snow Emergency, meaning roads are hazardous due to blowing and drifting snow or icy patches but remain open to travel. Drivers are urged to use caution and allow extra time.
- Athens County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Coshocton County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Crawford County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Delaware County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Fairfield County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Fayette County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Franklin County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Guernsey County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Hardin County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Hocking County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Knox County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Licking County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Logan County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Madison County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Marion County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Morgan County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Morrow County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Muskingum County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Perry County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Pickaway County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Pike County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Ross County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Union County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
- Vinton County – Level 1 Snow Emergency
Local sheriff’s offices and emergency management agencies continue to monitor conditions and can upgrade or downgrade snow emergencies through the day. Residents are encouraged to check county websites or social media for the latest alerts.
Full list of reported school closures and delays (as of early morning)
The following districts and schools were reporting closures or delays on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, based on early-morning closing lists from Central Ohio broadcasters and local alerts. This list may change as conditions improve or deteriorate.
| District / County / Facility | Status for Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Ada Exempted Village | 2-Hour Delay |
| ATHENS COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| Bellefontaine City Schools | 2-Hour Delay |
| Benjamin Logan Local Schools | Closed |
| Bishop Flaget School | Closed |
| COSHOCTON COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| CRAWFORD COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| Crooksville Exempted | Closed |
| DELAWARE COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| FAIRFIELD COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| Fairfield Union Local | Closed |
| FAYETTE COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| FRANKLIN COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| Franklin Local | Closed |
| GUERNSEY COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| HARDIN COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| Hilliard City Schools | Closed |
| HOCKING COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| KNOX COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| LICKING COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| Licking County Board of DD | 2-Hour Delay |
| Licking Valley Local Schools | Closed |
| LOGAN COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| Logan-Hocking Schools & St. John Elementary | Closed |
| MADISON COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| MARION COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| Miami Trace Local Schools | Closed |
| MORGAN COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| MORROW COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| MUSKINGUM COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| New Lexington City Schools | Closed |
| PERRY COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| PICKAWAY COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| PIKE COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| Pleasant Local Schools | 2-Hour Delay |
| Ridgewood Local Schools | Closed |
| River View Local Schools | Closed |
| ROSS COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| Simon Kenton School | 2-Hour Delay |
| Southern Local Schools | Closed |
| St. Patrick Early Learning Center | Closed; Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| UNION COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| VINTON COUNTY | Level 1 Snow Emergency |
| West Liberty-Salem Local Schools | Closed |
| Wright-Patterson Air Force Base | Closed |
| Zane Trace Local Schools | Closed |
Important: This list reflects conditions reported in the early morning hours. For live updates and any new additions, parents and staff should use the official closing lists hosted by local broadcasters, such as the “school closings, delays and snow emergencies” tool on the WSYX/FOX28 website and their district’s own communication channels.
What a Level 1 Snow Emergency means for drivers
In Ohio, a Level 1 Snow Emergency typically means roads are icy or snow-covered, but travel is still permitted. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution, reduce speeds and allow extra distance for braking. Higher levels can bring stronger restrictions, including discouraging non-essential travel.
State guidance notes that even at Level 1, blowing and drifting snow can quickly change conditions from “wet” to “hazardous,” especially on open stretches of highway and rural roads. That’s why school leaders often make conservative calls when buses would be travelling on untreated or hilly routes before sunrise.
ODOT crews working to keep main routes open
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has deployed plow and salt trucks across Central Ohio to stay ahead of the morning rush. Officials say crews have been pre-treating major routes and will continue working through the day to deal with additional flurries and refreezing.
Drivers are encouraged to move over and give plows plenty of room to work, avoid sudden braking near intersections, and keep an emergency kit in the car in case of delays.
Live Radar & Weekly Outlook
Related severe weather coverage
If you’re following how extreme weather is disrupting daily life in the UK and beyond, you can also read Swikblog’s coverage of amber weather warnings and flooding impacts in Wales, where heavy rain and strong winds have been causing their own travel headaches.
What parents and commuters should do next
- Check your district’s official website, app, text alert or social media feed for the latest closure or delay status.
- Allow extra time for the commute and assume side streets may be slick, even if main roads look mostly wet.
- Remind teen drivers about slower speeds, longer braking distances and giving plows extra space.
- Have a backup childcare plan in case districts extend delays into full closures.
Central Ohio is used to winter weather, but the first significant snow of the season often catches drivers off guard. Keeping an eye on official alerts — and slowing down on the roads — will be key to getting through today’s snow day safely.
