Honestly, if you’ve lived in Central Ohio for more than a week, you know the drill. You check the apps. One says three inches, the other says a dusting, and by noon you're staring at a sheet of ice or just a very sad, very wet sidewalk.
Right now, the columbus ohio snow forecast is shaping up to be a classic "clipper" situation. We are looking at a series of quick-moving systems rolling through as we hit the back half of January 2026.
It’s cold. 29°F cold.
As of tonight, Saturday, January 17, we are sitting under a thick blanket of clouds with a west wind barely moving at 2 mph. But don't let the quiet fool you. There is a 35% chance of snow today, and while the "big one" isn't currently on the radar for the next 24 hours, the ground is primed for whatever decides to fall.
Why the Sunday Night Shift Matters
Sunday, January 18, is when things get interesting for commuters and anyone with a pulse and a driveway to clear. We are expecting a high of 23°F during the day, which is chilly enough, but the nighttime brings a specific snow threat.
The forecast calls for a 25% chance of actual accumulation Sunday night. That might sound low. It isn't. In Ohio, a 25% chance often translates to "surprise, your 15-minute drive now takes an hour."
Monday, January 19, keeps the pressure on with light snow likely and a high that struggles to even reach 21°F. If you’re planning to be out for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the west wind is going to bite at 16 mph. That’s enough to turn a little bit of powder into a drifting mess across I-270.
Basically, the next 48 hours are a game of "will it stick?" The answer is usually yes when the low is dipping down to 6°F like it’s predicted to do by Monday night.
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The La Niña Factor and the "Wetter" Ohio Valley
We are currently in a weak La Niña cycle. According to the National Weather Service and recent updates from the Climate Prediction Center, this usually means the Ohio Valley gets more "active."
Active is meteorologist-speak for "unpredictable and probably wet."
When La Niña is in charge, the jet stream tends to dip. It steers storms right over our heads. While northwest Ohio has been dealing with some lingering drought issues from late 2025, the January 2026 pattern is finally bringing that much-needed moisture—it just happens to be coming in frozen form.
- Average January Snowfall: 8.9 inches
- Current Reality: We are seeing frequent, smaller bursts rather than one giant 12-inch dump.
- Temperature Swings: Expect wild jumps. We go from 37°F today to a brutal 16°F low, then potentially back up to 36°F by Wednesday.
These swings are dangerous. They create a freeze-thaw cycle that turns residential streets into skating rinks. By Wednesday, January 21, that 36°F high might melt the Sunday/Monday accumulation, only for it to refreeze when Thursday hits 23°F again.
What to Actually Expect This Week
If you are looking at the long-range columbus ohio snow forecast, keep your eyes on the weekend of January 24.
The models are currently showing a 40% chance of snow for both Saturday and Sunday (Jan 24-25). This looks like a more sustained weather event compared to the light "clippers" we’re seeing early this week.
Temperatures are going to stay stubbornly low. We are looking at highs in the teens and 20s for the foreseeable future. That means whatever falls is going to hang around. It won't be that "gone by noon" kind of snow we sometimes get in March.
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Real Talk on Road Conditions
Columbus isn't Buffalo, but we aren't Atlanta either. The city's salt trucks are usually out early for the main veins like High Street or Broad, but the side streets in Clintonville or German Village can stay treacherous for days.
The wind is the silent killer here. With gusts predicted up to 21 mph at times this week, visibility can drop in a heartbeat, even if it's only "light snow."
Honestly, just keep the scraper in the car.
Actionable Steps for the Next 48 Hours
Stop waiting for the local news to tell you to buy bread. If you're in the path of this week's flurries, do these three things:
- Check your tire pressure now. That drop from 37°F to 16°F tonight will trigger your "low air" light. Every 10-degree drop usually eats about 1 PSI.
- Clear your gutters. If we get that 36°F "warm" spell on Wednesday followed by the 6°F plunge on Monday/Tuesday, your gutters will turn into ice dams.
- Treat your walkways Sunday afternoon. Don't wait for the Sunday night snow to finish. Pre-treating with salt or brine makes the Monday morning shovel significantly easier.
The snow is coming. It won't be a blizzard, but it'll be enough to remind you exactly why we live in the Midwest. Stay warm out there.