The Tri-State is getting a hard "second round" punch from a second day of a winter storm that showed its extreme side Wednesday morning.
Cincinnati's northeastern suburbs have seen several inches of snow in the past several hours.
At the intersection of Montgomery Road and Interstate 71, motorists have seen almost every type of winter weather since 4:00 O'clock Wednesday morning, going from snow and increasing winds, to sleet, freezing rain, after starting out as just rain.
The severe conditions have cut the amount of traffic we've seen significantly around the Kenwood Town Center and other stores. In fact, the mall's parking lot has been empty most of the morning, with the exception of plow trucks.
About 10 a.m. we saw something in this weather on Montgomery Road we didn't believe. Our crews caught a lone bicyclist riding eastbound on Montgomery Road. Not only was he cycling up a slight incline, he was also fighting the soft cold slush on the ground and the snow blowing in his face.
It was amazing how little traffic there was on Montgomery Road and I-71. Normally by mid-morning, that area is busy with shoppers and others on their way to doctor's offices and other businesses.
The Kenwood McDonald's, normally crowded from breakfast through lunch, only saw sparse business.
Some people we spoke with say they were out, in spite of the level 3 emergency, because they had to get to work, one way or another.
They were commuting even though it was becoming a much harder, longer trip than normal. Claudia Bryer of Landen stopped by the McDonald's on her way to her job in a Clifton doctor's office. She said, "The trip to work during the winter storm was difficult. There are crazy people out there.. I wouldn't be driving unless I absolutely have to."
Even though Hamilton County declared a level 3 emergency, Bryer had to go to work. "I have to. Our doctor's office is open today and we have patients scheduled for this afternoon," she added.
Throughout the pre-dawn hours, we saw at least three Hamilton County snow plows working together in a convoy making rounds on Montgomery Road.
They were successful, until about 8:15 Wednesday morning, when the freezing rain suddenly changed over into blowing snow.
After all the work snow plow trucks did Wednesday morning, they'll have to come back and do over again.
