If you stepped outside in Columbus this morning, you probably felt that immediate, sharp sting in your nostrils. It's that classic Ohio winter "slap in the face." Honestly, if you were expecting a mild transition into the second half of January, the weather forecast for Columbus Ohio has some pretty chilling news for you. We are currently sitting right in the teeth of a sustained cold snap that is going to make your heating bill look like a phone number.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. Right now, it's about 20°F out there, but with the south wind kicking at 5 mph, it feels more like 14°F. That’s the kind of cold that finds the gap between your scarf and your jacket.
The Week Ahead: It’s Not Just Cold, It’s Bitter
Basically, we’re looking at a series of days where the "high" temperatures struggle to even reach the freezing mark. Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, things get even more intense. We’re talking about a high of only 22°F during the day, but once that sun goes down, it’s going to crater to around 8°F.
There’s a 20% chance of light snow during the day tomorrow, but the real story is the wind. It’s coming out of the west at 17 mph. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know what that means for the wind chill. The local experts over at 10TV have already issued a Weather Impact Alert Day because those wind chills are expected to drop below zero. COTA is even waiving fares on Monday and Tuesday because the Franklin County cold advisory is that serious.
Tuesday isn’t looking much better. We’ll see some sun, which is rare for a Columbus January, but the temperature is going to stay pinned at a high of 22°F and a low of 8°F again. It’s a dry, brittle kind of cold.
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Breaking Down the Numbers
To give you an idea of how this stacks up, the typical weather forecast for Columbus Ohio in January usually sees highs around 37°F. We are currently trailing that average by about 15 degrees.
- Sunday (Today): High 23°F / Low 16°F. Snow showers likely tonight (25% chance).
- Monday: High 22°F / Low 8°F. Light snow and windy.
- Tuesday: High 22°F / Low 8°F. Sunny but frigid.
- Wednesday: High 37°F / Low 23°F. A brief "warm-up" with a mix of rain and snow.
- Thursday: High 29°F / Low 15°F. Back to the freezer.
Wait, did you see Wednesday? 37°F! That’s basically tropical compared to the rest of the week. But don't get your hopes up too high. That slight temperature bump comes with a messy mix of rain and snow. It’s going to be slushy, gross, and likely a nightmare for the evening commute on I-71 and I-270.
Why Is This Happening?
Meteorologists are pointing toward a negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation. In plain English? The "fence" that usually keeps the coldest Arctic air trapped up north has a massive hole in it, and that air is spilling right down into the Ohio Valley.
This isn't just a "bad weekend." Data from the Climate Prediction Center suggests this pattern might stick around through early February. We’re seeing a persistent 500-hPa trough over eastern North America, which basically acts like a slide for polar air masses.
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Historical Context: Could Be Worse (Really)
I know it feels like we’re living in an icebox, but history has been much crueler to Columbus. Back on January 19, 1994—exactly 32 years ago tomorrow—the city hit an all-time record low of -22°F. Imagine that. Today's 8°F low feels like a cozy campfire compared to the "Great Freeze" of '94.
Even the records for January 18 show we’ve hit 3°F in 1977. So, while 2026 is giving us a run for our money, we aren't quite in record-breaking territory yet. We're just in that "annoyingly cold" zone where your car takes ten minutes to warm up and your dog refuses to stay outside for more than thirty seconds.
Dealing With the Slush and Ice
The mid-week "thaw" on Wednesday is actually the part that worries me most. When you jump from 22°F to 37°F and then back down to 18°F by Friday, you get the "freeze-thaw" cycle. Any snow that melts on Wednesday is going to turn into a sheet of black ice by Thursday morning.
If you're driving near the Scioto River or over any of the downtown bridges, be careful. Those surfaces freeze way faster than the actual roads.
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What You Should Actually Do Now
Don't just sit there and shiver. There are a few things that actually matter when the weather forecast for Columbus Ohio looks like this.
First off, check your tire pressure. Cold air makes the air inside your tires contract, and you’ll likely see that annoying little yellow light on your dashboard tomorrow morning. Fill them up now so you aren't stuck at a gas station air pump when it's 8 degrees out.
Second, if you have older pipes or a north-facing wall, leave your faucets at a tiny drip on Monday night. It’s a lot cheaper than calling a plumber for a burst pipe.
Lastly, keep an eye on the elderly neighbors. This kind of sustained cold is hard on people and pets. We’re looking at a long stretch of "teen" temperatures toward next weekend—Saturday, January 24, might only see a high of 13°F.
Stay warm, Columbus. We’ve survived worse, but this week is definitely going to test our patience.
Actionable Steps for the Week:
- Monday Morning: Give yourself an extra 15 minutes for the commute; the 17 mph winds will make handling high-profile vehicles tricky.
- Tuesday Night: Ensure all outdoor pets are brought inside as temperatures drop to 8°F with sub-zero wind chills.
- Wednesday Afternoon: Salt your walkways before the evening temperature drop to prevent Wednesday's rain/snow mix from turning into a Saturday morning ice rink.
- Thursday: Monitor your furnace filter; your system will be working overtime this week, and a clean filter helps prevent a mid-winter breakdown.