Honestly, when the wind starts howling across the Scioto River and those grey clouds hang low over the Short North, the first thing anyone does is check their phone. You’ve likely landed here because you heard a siren or saw a notification and need to know: is there a tornado warning Columbus Ohio?
Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, 2026, the answer is no. There is no active tornado warning for the city. In fact, we’re looking at the exact opposite end of the weather spectrum. Instead of sweltering storm humidity, Columbus is currently sitting at a crisp 30°F with a "feels like" temperature of 27°F.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington is focused on snow showers and a brutal arctic blast rather than funnel clouds. While the sky is mostly cloudy and we’ve got a light west wind at about 3 mph, the real threat is the plunging mercury. We are looking at a low of 16°F tonight, which is definitely "keep the pets inside" territory.
Why You Might Be Hearing Sirens
If you're hearing sirens on a Wednesday at noon, don't sweat it—that’s just the weekly test of the 198 sirens across Franklin County. But if it’s not Wednesday and you're searching for an is there a tornado warning Columbus Ohio update, it’s usually because the sky has turned that eerie shade of bruised-purple green.
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Columbus is in a weird spot geographically. We get that "clash of the titans" effect where warm air from the Gulf hits the cold Canadian fronts right over the Ohio Valley. While January isn't exactly peak "Tornado Alley" season for us, Ohio has seen some wild winter anomalies before. Remember, a tornado doesn't care what the calendar says if the atmospheric pressure is wonky enough.
Current Hazards: It’s All About the Ice
Instead of spinning vortexes, the NWS has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Franklin County today. We’re dealing with scattered snow showers that can drop visibility to near zero in a heartbeat. Basically, if you’re driving on I-71 or the 270 loop, keep both hands on the wheel.
- Current Temp: 30°F
- Wind: 3 mph from the West
- Humidity: 54%
- Precipitation Chance: 10% (Snow)
Looking ahead to the rest of the weekend, things get even more intense. We're expecting a "reinforcing shot" of cold air. By Sunday night through Tuesday, wind chills are projected to drop between -5 and -15 degrees. That’s the kind of cold that freezes pipes and makes your car battery give up on life.
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How to Stay Ready in Central Ohio
Since you were worried about a tornado, it’s a good time to audit your alerts. Relying on just one source is a bad move. Most of us get the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on our phones, but those can be finicky if a cell tower is down.
A lot of locals use the Alert Franklin County system. You can actually text FCREADY to 888777 to get emergency management updates without even making an account. It’s super simple.
If a real tornado warning does pop up later this spring, remember the "basement or middle" rule. If you don't have a basement—standard for a lot of newer builds in Dublin or Westerville—get to the most central room on the lowest floor. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.
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For now, put away the storm kit and grab the heavy coat. The snow chance stays around 20% to 35% for the next 24 hours. The high for today peaked at 37°F, but we won't see those "warm" numbers again for a few days.
Next Steps for Columbus Residents:
Check your outdoor faucets and make sure they are covered or drained before the sub-zero wind chills hit Sunday night. If you have to travel today, keep an eye on the 10TV Weather Impact updates, as those quick snow bursts can turn a clear road into a skating rink in minutes.