Honestly, if you've spent any real time in Licking County, you know the sky has a personality. It’s not just "cold" or "hot"—it’s a mood. Today in Newark, we’re looking at a high of 21°F, which sounds chilly enough until you realize the wind chill is actually biting down at 11°F. That southwest wind at 9 mph is doing a lot of heavy lifting. It’s a partly sunny afternoon, but don't let the blue patches fool you into leaving your heavy coat in the car.
Winter here is basically a long-term relationship with "mostly cloudy" skies. In fact, January in Newark is historically the cloudiest time of the year, with overcast conditions hanging around about 63% of the time.
What's Happening Right Now
The current setup for January 18, 2026, is classic Ohio. We’re sitting at 21°F with 51% humidity. There's a tiny 5% chance of snow flurries right now, but that’s going to change as the sun goes down.
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By tonight, the temperature is expected to dip to a low of 15°F. We’re also keeping an eye on a 25% chance of snow showers after dark. It’s not a blizzard, but it’s enough to make the 21st Street hills a bit slick if you aren't careful.
The River Factor
You can't talk about weather for Newark Ohio without mentioning the water. The North Fork and South Fork of the Licking River are the lifeblood of the city, but they’re also the source of its biggest headaches.
Local experts at the National Weather Service in Wilmington keep a constant watch on the Main Street and Stadden Bridge gauges. Historically, the river is a beast. Back in 1959, the Licking River hit a record 20.3 feet, nearly swallowing neighborhoods like Denman Park and "Little Texas."
Even recently, in April 2024, the North Fork crested at over 17 feet. When the river hits the 20-foot mark, things get real. We’re talking water several feet deep in the Owens Corning facility and Everett Park becoming a lake. Currently, the gauges are at a "normal" status—the North Fork is sitting around 2.58 feet—but a quick snowmelt or a heavy spring rain changes that story in hours.
January by the Numbers
If you’re new to the area, Newark’s January is usually a grind.
- Average Highs: Usually around 37°F (today is significantly colder).
- Average Lows: Typically hover near 23°F.
- Snowfall: We usually get about 7.3 inches throughout the month.
- Wind: January is officially the windiest month here, averaging 15 mph.
The humidity stays high, around 74%, which gives the air that "damp cold" that seems to soak right through a denim jacket. You've basically got to dress in layers or you'll regret it by the time you walk from the courthouse to a coffee shop downtown.
Why Newark Feels Different
There’s a weird nuance to Licking County weather. Because we’re tucked into a bit of a rolling landscape, we often dodge the lake-effect snow that hammers Cleveland, but we get the "clipper" systems that dive down from the plains.
When a clipper hits, like the one moving through the Midwest this weekend, it brings those gusty winds and sudden drops in visibility. It’s why you’ll see 35 mph gusts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day tomorrow, with wind chills potentially dropping to 5 below zero.
Preparing for the Week Ahead
Tomorrow is going to be a reality check. We’re looking at highs in the lower 20s again, but the wind is going to kick up to 20 mph. If you have plans for the holiday, prepare for "very cold" conditions.
Actionable Steps for Newark Residents:
- Check the Pipes: With lows hitting 15°F tonight and potentially 0°F by Monday night, make sure your precarious plumbing is insulated.
- River Watch: If you live near Hollander Street or the South Fork, keep the NOAA Water Prediction page bookmarked. It only takes a few inches of rapid melt to move from "normal" to "action" stage.
- Car Kit: Toss an extra blanket and a bag of grit or kitty litter in the trunk. The transition from partly sunny to snow showers tonight can create "black ice" patches on the bridges over Raccoon Creek.
The sun might be out for a bit today, but in Newark, the weather is always playing the long game. Stay warm out there.