SANDUSKY

At least 31 cars were damaged in numerous wrecks in Ottawa, Erie, Huron, Sandusky and Seneca counties Saturday, a result of high winds drifting fine snows over roads and obstructing drivers' vision, law enforcement officials said.

Similar conditions are expected today, leading law enforcement to caution drivers who need to travel on Super Bowl Sunday.

More than 10 vehicles were involved in accidents on the eastbound lanes approaching the Thomas A. Edison Memorial Bridge on Ohio 2. High winds pushed drifting snow across the frozen Sandusky Bay, snow that continually rolled over the bridge's approaches from both directions reducing visibility for drivers to almost nil, said Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper Shaun Robinson.

Only minor injuries resulted from the 10-15 accidents on the bridge, Robinson said.

An accurate count could not be made of the vehicles or accidents in the westbound lanes. Troopers who responded to those lanes were no longer on duty at deadline and reports for those accidents were not finished, Robinson said.

None of the accidents occurred on the part of the bridge under construction where four lanes of traffic merge into two, narrow lanes. White- out conditions caused drivers to hit guard rails and plow into other, stopped drivers because of reduced visibility, Robinson said.

It's the first time in six years Robinson's seen such a weather effect, he said.

To the south, both the Sandusky and Seneca county sheriffs declared Level 2 emergencies in their counties, meaning drivers were only to go out on the roads if absolutely necessary. Those levels were to be reevaluated this morning. Ottawa County did not declare any emergency. Erie and Huron counties do not declare emergencies.

In Hancock County, a pileup involving about 20 cars killed two people, according to Web sites for Toledo television stations. WTOL's Web site reported a Florida couple had been killed in the pileup, which occurred on Interstate 75 near Findlay.

Extra cold temperatures can make snow more powder-like and easily blown around, said Accuweather meteorologist Josh Newhard. When high winds meet cold temperatures and there's snow on the ground and in the air, visibility can be reduced and driving becomes difficult.

"If temperatures are warmer -- around freezing -- snow is wet and doesn't tend to blow around as much," Newhard said. "In the teens and single digits, snow is real powdery and much easier to pick up and blow around."

Drivers should always slow down and keep their headlights on if such conditions occur, said Ohio State Highway Patrol Sandusky Post Sgt. Michael Knoll. Vehicles traveling at higher speeds couldn't stop in time to avoid other stopped vehicles in several accidents, accidents which could have been avoided.

"People were coming out of the whiteout at 45 or 50 mph," said Knoll, who responded to two accidents on Ohio 4 north of Bellevue. "It's up to the individual, but personally, I wouldn't go out (in whiteout conditions)."

More wind and cold are expected in the area today, with a forecast high of 9 degrees with windchill temperatures dipping into the negative levels. Forecasters also expect scattered snow showers or flurries throughout the day. There's a forecast low of zero tonight. Conditions could repeat Saturday's hazards.

Temperatures should climb a bit Monday, with a forecast high of 12.

Area residents shouldn't curse the weather as out-of-the-ordinary, Newhard said. The coldest time of the year is usually the end of January and beginning of February. Warmer temperatures earlier in January might have spoiled some, making this weather to appear to be an anomaly.

"It does look like winter is making a bit of a late arrival, though," he said.