Snow Emergency Levels Explained
A snow emergency level tells drivers how dangerous the roads are and whether they should drive at all. In Ohio, county sheriffs use three levels: Level 1 means drive very carefully, Level 2 means drive only if necessary, and Level 3 closes roads to everyone except emergency personnel.
Ohio: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
- Level 1Roads are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and may be icy. No roads are closed. Drive very cautiously.
- Level 2Roads are hazardous. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out. Check with your employer about reporting to work.
- Level 3All roads are closed to non-emergency personnel. Drive only in a real emergency: people driving without need may face charges under Ohio Revised Code 2917.13.
Each of Ohio's 88 county sheriffs declares levels for their own county, so neighboring counties can be at different levels at the same time. A few counties use their own system: Lorain County announces area-specific advisories and travel bans, and the Stark County sheriff does not declare countywide levels. The legal basis is Ohio Revised Code 311.07 and Ohio Attorney General opinions 86-023 and 97-015. See every Ohio county.
Indiana: county travel advisories
- AdvisoryRoutine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation. Use caution or avoid those areas.
- WatchConditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Only essential travel, such as to and from work or in an emergency, is recommended.
- WarningThe highest level. Travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only. Individuals are directed to refrain from all travel.
Indiana counties set a travel status under Indiana Code 10-14-3-29, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security shows all 92 counties on one map. See every Indiana county.
City snow emergencies
Many cities declare their own snow emergency to clear streets: parking is banned on snow routes, and cars left there can be ticketed and towed. Minneapolis uses a three-day sequence of parking rules, and Saint Paul uses Night Plow and Day Plow routes. These are parking rules, separate from county travel levels.
Snow emergencies and weather alerts
The National Weather Service issues winter storm watches and warnings, blizzard warnings and winter weather advisories based on the forecast. Local officials decide snow emergency levels based on road conditions. A county can be under a winter storm warning without a snow emergency, and the reverse also happens after the snow has stopped.
Questions
What is a Level 2 snow emergency?
In Ohio, a Level 2 snow emergency means roads are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and may be very icy. Only people who feel it is necessary to drive should be out, and they should check with their employer about reporting to work.
What is a Level 3 snow emergency?
It is the highest level in Ohio: all roads are closed to non-emergency personnel. People driving without a real need may face charges under Ohio Revised Code 2917.13 (misconduct at an emergency).
Can I go to work during a snow emergency?
Under Level 1 and Level 2 you may drive, carefully. Under Level 3, only emergency and essential personnel should travel; check with your employer and your county sheriff, because rules for essential workers vary by county.
Is a snow emergency the same as a winter storm warning?
No. Winter storm warnings come from the National Weather Service and describe the weather. Snow emergency levels are declared by local officials, such as the county sheriff in Ohio, and describe what the roads mean for drivers.