Storm dumps heavy, wet snow on valley

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Parts of the Dayton metro area saw a least seven inches of snow Wednesday morning as the Miami Valley took a hit from a winter storm.  As of 8 a.m. more than 360 schools and businesses have closed for the day or delayed opening.

Sheriff's deputies warned motorists to stay off the roads unless necessary in several counties.

Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for the entire Miami Valley until 1:00 pm Wednesday.

Several counties have issued level one snow emergencies including Butler, Greene, Darke, Logan, Mercer, Preble and Wayne County Indiana.  Level one means roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifing snow.  Roads may also be icy. Drivers are urged to use caution while out on the roads.

The snow  will continue for the Wednesday morning rush hour.  Snow will still be falling but will begin to taper off to snow showers by 9:00 a.m.

Total accumulations will be around five to eight inches from Vandalia to Sidney and around four to seven inches for the Dayton metro area.  Some areas may see isolated seven to nine inches. 

Storm Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brian Davis says the snow will begin in the west around Richmond at 6:30 pm, in Dayton around 7:30 pm in Dayton and 8:30 pm in Springfield. 

Stay with  2 NEWS as the storm moves through the area.  Keep a close eye on our interactive weather pages on WDTN.com .  Storm Team 2 will follow the storm every inch of the way.  Coverage begins today at 5:00 on 2 NEWS, then tonight at 10 on Dayton's CW and on 2 NEWS at 11.