Winter in Central Ohio is basically a game of "will it or won't it" with the snow, and honestly, the latest numbers for the columbus ohio 7 day forecast are finally giving us a straight answer. It’s gonna be cold. Like, real cold. We’ve been coasting through a somewhat manageable start to the year, but the atmosphere is about to flip the script starting Friday, January 16.
If you're living in the 614, you've probably noticed that "seasonal lag" meteorologists like Ryan Shoptaugh always talk about. Even though the solstice was weeks ago, our coldest days usually wait until mid-January to punch us in the face. That's exactly what's happening now. We're looking at a week where the mercury barely breaks freezing before it takes a nosedive into the single digits.
The Weekend Breakdown: Flurries and "Feels Like" Drama
Friday is starting things off with a high of 35°F. That sounds okay on paper, right? Kinda. But with light snow expected both day and night and a 10 mph wind coming from the south, it’s going to feel significantly grittier. We're looking at about a 25% chance of accumulation during the day. Most of us will just see a dusting, but 10 Weather Impact is warning that a few spots could pick up an inch or two if a heavier band decides to sit over your neighborhood.
Saturday, January 17, is basically a carbon copy but slightly more aggressive with the moisture. We’ll hit 34°F, but the snow chance jumps to 35%. If you have plans at the Short North or need to hit up North Market, do it early. By Saturday night, the clouds start to break, and the temperature drops to 18°F.
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When the Bottom Falls Out
Sunday is where the vibe changes. The high only hits 24°F. That’s a ten-degree drop from the day before, and the low is going to hover around 16°F. But the real story in this columbus ohio 7 day forecast starts on Monday, January 19.
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and if you have the day off, stay inside. The high is a measly 17°F, and the low is plummeting to 5°F. This isn't just "jacket weather"; this is "find your heavy-duty parka and don't forget the wool socks" weather. West winds are going to be sustained at 17 mph, which means wind chills—those "feels like" temperatures—are going to be well below zero.
- Monday High: 17°F
- Monday Night Low: 5°F
- Wind Speed: 17 mph (West)
- Condition: Partly Sunny (which is basically a lie because the sun offers zero warmth at these temps)
Tuesday, January 20, keeps that 5°F low. We might see a high of 20°F during the day with some sun, but snow showers are expected to return Tuesday night. It’s that dry, powdery snow that doesn't stick well but makes the roads incredibly slick.
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Midweek "Warm-up" (If You Can Call It That)
By Wednesday, January 21, the wind picks up significantly, gusting from the west at 21 mph. We’ll see a high of 35°F again, which will feel like a tropical vacation compared to Monday, but the humidity and the wind will make it feel much rawer. Light snow is back in the mix for Thursday, January 22, with a high of 31°F and a low of 24°F.
Basically, the next seven days are a revolving door of light snow and arctic air. We aren't seeing a massive blizzard—at least not yet—but the persistent cold is going to be a strain on car batteries and furnaces across the city.
Practical Steps for the Frigid Week Ahead
Honestly, the biggest risk this week isn't the snow depth; it's the duration of the cold. When temperatures stay below freezing for several days, things start to break.
- Check your tire pressure. Cold air makes the "low tire" light pop up because air density changes. Don't panic, just top them off.
- Drip those faucets. If you’re in one of the older homes in German Village or Clintonville, those pipes are vulnerable when the low hits 5°F on Monday and Tuesday.
- Pet safety. If it's too cold for you to stand outside in a light hoodie for ten minutes, it's too cold for your dog. Short walks only.
- Salt early. Since we’re seeing multiple days of 20% to 35% snow chances, ice is going to build up. Pre-treating your sidewalk before Friday night will save you a lot of hacking later.
Stay warm, Columbus. This week is going to be a long one, but at least the days are technically getting longer by about a minute and a half every day. Small wins, right?