Crashes close interstates around Columbus as counties issue snow emergencies

Winter weather is creating more pain for drivers in central Ohio.

Snow and high winds in the area have caused many counties in the state, including Union County, to declare snow emergencies, according to Dispatch news partner NBC4.

Franklin County did not declare a snow emergency until 10:30 p.m. on March 16, but several other counties had. According to NBC4, these counties were under a Level 1 emergency:

Weather conditions cause crashes on Columbus interstate

Moreover, Numerous accidents in the area have caused delays or road closuresAccording to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

These include:

• All lanes of southbound I-270 beyond Tuttle Crossing Boulevard were closed due to the crash.

• All southbound lanes of Ohio 315 beyond North Broadway were closed due to the crash.

• The outside lanes of the I-270 northbound collector beyond Easton Way are closed due to a crash.

• The two left lanes of I-71 southbound at 11th Avenue were closed due to the crash.

Other accidents are likely to occur across the region and drivers are asked to be careful.

Weather forecast

March 16: Temperatures were expected to drop further Monday night, reaching single digits and reaching the 20s.

March 17: Expect an exceptionally cold day with showers of snow and temperatures at 28 degrees.

March 18: Chance of rain and snow as temperatures rise above freezing, but only into the 40s.

March 19: Cloudy and the highest temperature is 53 degrees.

March 20: Mostly cloudy with a high of 62 degrees.

Forecast courtesy of Dispatch news partner NBC4.

This article first appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Winter weather closes interstates, sparks snow emergencies in Ohio