Ohio River Freezes For The First Time Since 1978

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The Ohio River in Evansville, Indiana is starting to freeze over, a rare occurrence not seen since 1978, as an intense cold snap grips the region. Temperatures have plunged, with wind chills hovering between -10 and -20 degrees, causing the typically flowing river to begin freezing.

Why it matters

Seeing the Ohio River start to freeze is a powerful reminder of how serious this cold spell is, and it underscores the extreme weather conditions the region is facing. While fascinating, it is also a dangerous situation that officials are urging residents to take precautions against.

The details

According to the Evansville / Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Agency, the icy images are coming straight from their downtown EMA tower cam. The extreme cold has caused the river to slow and start freezing over, a sight not seen in the area since 1978. Forecasters say another Arctic blast is expected this weekend, with a strong possibility of wind chills dipping below -10 degrees.

• The last time the Ohio River completely froze over in Evansville was back in 1978.
• An Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect, with wind chills hovering between -10 and -20 degrees.
• Temperatures are expected to moderate slightly today into Wednesday, with some areas potentially climbing above freezing.
• Another Arctic blast is forecast for Friday into the weekend, with a 50–90% chance of subzero wind chills Friday morning.