Around 10:30 Wednesday night the Jefferson County sheriff declared a Level 2 Snow Emergency for the county. Belmont County was placed under a Level 2 earlier that evening. Both remain under a Level 2 meaning roads are hazardous, only those who feel it is necessary to drive should do so, and drivers are encouraged to call their employers to verify that they need to report to work.

Noble and Guernsey county are under a Level 1 snow advisory, meaning roads are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow, roads are icy and drivers are warned to be cautious.

The Mayor of Shadyside has declared a snow emergency for the village, meaning cars cannot be parked on the snow routes.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect in much of the Ohio Valley.

Every county in the NEWS9 viewing area with the exception of Columbiana and Tyler is under the advisory until 7 a.m. Thursday.

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Cold air is expected to blast in Thursday morning with wind chills at least 10 degrees below zero. By Friday morning, wind chills could be 20 below zero.

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Wednesday afternoon, crews throughout the area were working to keep roadways clear.

In Brooke County, afternoon traffic was moving slow along a snow-covered Main Street in Follansbee. In Marshall County, snow covered most roadways in Cameron. Drivers in Wheeling were also dealing with slippery conditions.

Ohio Department of Transportation crews said they will be out all day and night plowing any snow and ice to keep roadways clear. However, crews said temperatures less than 20 degrees complicate their efforts.

“We will be plowing, but the (ice-melting) materials will not treat as well as they do in normal conditions,” said Dave Schafer, manager of the Belmont Salt Garage.

Schafer said once the temperature gets below 20 degrees, crews use liquid calcium which helps melt ice and snow better than a normal salt and brine mix.

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Latest Road Conditions

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