If you’ve lived in the Mahoning Valley for more than a week, you know the drill. One day you’re looking for your sunglasses, and the next, you’re digging a literal path to your mailbox while wondering why the air feels like it’s made of needles. Right now, Youngstown is leaning hard into that second category.
Honestly, looking at the 7 day forecast youngstown ohio, things are getting pretty "real" for anyone who isn't a fan of single-digit wind chills and the constant hum of a snowblower. We are currently staring down a classic Rust Belt winter stretch where the sun basically goes on vacation and the clouds decide to move in permanently.
What’s happening right now?
As of Thursday evening, January 15, 2026, the current temperature is sitting at a crisp 15°F. But that number is a total lie. Because of the 10 mph wind coming out of the west, it actually feels like 1°F. If you’re heading out to the Southern Park Mall or just grabbing a bite on Federal Street, you’re going to want the heavy parka. The sky is completely cloudy, and there's about a 10% chance of some stray flakes right now, though the real "fun" starts later.
The 7 day forecast youngstown ohio breakdown
The rest of this week is a bit of a rollercoaster, but like, a really cold one.
🔗 Read more: Recent Obituaries in Charlottesville VA: What Most People Get Wrong
Today, Thursday, January 15, we're looking at a high of 17°F and a low of 14°F. The National Weather Service even kept a Winter Weather Advisory in place until 7 PM because of the blowing snow and gusty winds reaching up to 16 mph. Tonight, expect some light snow to hang around with about a 20% chance of accumulation.
Friday, January 16, brings a "warm-up" if you can call it that. The high hits 32°F, which is almost freezing! We’re expecting snow showers throughout the day and night. The chance of precipitation sits at 35% for both halves of the day. South winds at 12 mph will keep things feeling damp and chilly.
Saturday, January 17, is actually the "heat wave" of the week. We might hit 34°F. More snow showers are likely during the day, but it should taper off to just being partly cloudy by nightfall. The low will drop back down to 15°F, so any slush on the roads is going to turn into a skating rink.
💡 You might also like: Trump New Gun Laws: What Most People Get Wrong
The Sunday through Wednesday outlook
- Sunday, January 18: High of 21°F, low of 15°F. Light snow in the morning turning into showers at night.
- Monday, January 19: This is where it gets brutal. The high is 18°F, but the low is a flat 0°F. Yes, zero. With west winds at 19 mph, the wind chill is going to be dangerous.
- Tuesday, January 20: Another high of only 13°F and a low of 0°F. It’ll be partly sunny, but don't let the light fool you—it’s freezing.
- Wednesday, January 21: We bounce back to 29°F with more snow showers. The low stays around 13°F.
Why Youngstown weather feels so unpredictable
A lot of people think it's just "Ohio being Ohio," but there’s a bit more science to it. We sit in a weird spot where we get the "clippers" coming down from Canada and the lake-effect moisture from Lake Erie. In January, the cloud cover in Youngstown is historically around 70%. We are officially in the cloudiest month of the year.
Climate experts like those at Climate Central have actually noted that while our winters are getting shorter on average—Youngstown has seen about 18 fewer freezing nights since 1970—the storms we do get tend to be more intense. Basically, we get less snow overall, but when it hits, it hits like a freight train.
Surviving the 0°F nights
When that Monday night low hits 0°F, you need to be smart. This isn't just about wearing a hat.
📖 Related: Why Every Tornado Warning MN Now Live Alert Demands Your Immediate Attention
- Check your tires: Cold air makes tire pressure drop faster than a local politician's approval rating.
- Drip the faucets: If your house is older (and let's face it, most of Youngstown’s best character homes are), those pipes will freeze at zero degrees.
- Pet safety: If it’s too cold for you, it’s way too cold for the dog. Short walks only.
Basically, the next few days are going to be a test of endurance. We’ve got snow chances almost every single day, and the temperatures are staying well below the historical January average of 33°F.
If you’re planning on traveling toward Cleveland or Pittsburgh, keep an eye on those west winds. They tend to whip across I-80 and make visibility a nightmare, especially during those Monday wind gusts of 19 mph. Stay warm, keep the salt bucket by the door, and maybe order in tonight.
Next steps for you:
- Check your vehicle's antifreeze levels before the 0°F temperatures arrive on Monday.
- Monitor local radar if you have to commute via Route 11 or I-680 during Friday's snow showers.