(Photo Illustration/MetroCreative)

MARIETTA — Washington County Sheriff Larry R. Mincks downgraded the level two snow emergency to a level one snow emergency Sunday, and the weather is predicted to reach spring-like temperatures this week after the Mid-Ohio Valley comes out of the first significant snowfall of the year.

The National Weather Service out of Charleston has temperatures staying above freezing during the day this week, with just a slight chance of freezing rain before 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The area could see warmer temperatures, as the National Weather Service has the predicted high to be around 60 on Thursday.

In other news, Public Information Officer for the Ohio Department of Transportation in District 10 Ashley Rittenhouse said the number of plow trucks that were struck by motorists in Ohio jumped from nine to 14 over the weekend, but none of those were from our district.

“We’re very disappointed that the number of plow strikes keeps growing,” Rittenhouse said. “We really need drivers to do their part, and give us the space we need to do our jobs.”

Rittenhouse said they are always monitoring weather conditions during the winter months and will be ready again if conditions call for them to be out.

“In the meantime, we will be completing our normal maintenance activities, such as patching potholes and picking up litter.”