Honestly, if you’ve spent any time near the Ohio River in the dead of winter, you know the Portsmouth Ohio weather forecast is basically a suggestion. You check your phone, see 36°F, and think, "Hey, that's not too bad for mid-January." Then you step outside and the wind coming off the water hits you like a wet blanket made of ice.
Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, 2026, we’re looking at a current temperature of 36°F, but it feels like 28°F. That’s the "Portsmouth tax." Between the humidity sitting at 72% and a 12 mph wind from the southwest, that raw river air just finds the gaps in your coat.
What’s Actually Happening This Week?
The next few days are going to be a bit of a rollercoaster, which is pretty standard for Scioto County. Today, Saturday, we’re topping out at 37°F. It’s mostly cloudy, and while there’s only a 10% chance of snow during the day, that bumps up to 20% tonight as the temperature drops to a low of 21°F. If you're heading out to the Boneyfiddle district or just running to the store, watch for those slick spots once the sun goes down.
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Tomorrow, Sunday, the high won't even break the freezing mark. We’re looking at 26°F. Monday and Tuesday get even stingier with the heat.
- Monday: High of 25°F, Low of 9°F.
- Tuesday: High of 23°F, Low of 9°F.
Yeah, single digits at night. That's the kind of cold that makes your car engine groan when you turn the key. But here’s the weird part: by Wednesday, the forecast jumps all the way up to 43°F. That’s a 20-degree swing in 24 hours. If you’ve lived here long enough, you don't even pack away the heavy boots; you just keep them by the door next to the umbrella.
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The Humidity and the "River Chill" Factor
People from out of town always ask why 30 degrees in Portsmouth feels so much worse than 30 degrees in, say, Montana. It’s the moisture. Being tucked right where the Scioto and Ohio Rivers meet creates this humid microclimate. In January, our humidity averages around 80% to 92%.
When it's that damp, the cold doesn't just sit on your skin; it soaks into your bones. It’s a "heavy" cold. Meteorologically speaking, we’re technically a Humid Subtropical Climate (Cfa), which sounds like we should have palm trees, but in reality, it just means our winters are grey, wet, and biting.
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Portsmouth’s Winter History: It Could Be Worse
We usually average about 9 inches of snow a year, but the real threat has always been the water. Any long-time resident will tell you stories about the floodwalls. The historic 1937 flood saw the Ohio River crest at 74.23 feet here. To put that in perspective, the "normal" pool is about 14 feet. We’re protected up to 77 feet now, but that history is why everyone in town keeps a nervous eye on the sky when a "rain-to-snow" transition is in the forecast.
Staying Safe When the Single Digits Hit
With lows hitting 8°F or 9°F over the next few days, it's not just about comfort. The State Fire Marshal, Kevin Reardon, recently pointed out that space heater fires spike exactly during these weeks in January. People get desperate to warm up those drafty older homes near the floodwall.
- Check your pipes: When it hits 9°F on Monday night, leave the cabinets open under your sinks.
- Space heater safety: Plug them directly into the wall. No extension cords. Seriously.
- The "Layer" Rule: Don't just wear one big coat. Wear a base layer that wicks moisture—remember that 72% humidity? If you sweat even a little and it stays damp, you'll freeze.
Looking Toward Next Weekend
By next Saturday, January 24, we might see some more significant "business." The forecast is calling for snow showers with a high of 34°F and a 45% chance of snow overnight. It's looking like a classic messy winter weekend.
Next Steps for You: - Clear your gutters today while it's still 37°F; you don't want ice dams forming when that 9°F low hits Monday.
- Dig out the ice scraper and check your tire pressure, as these 20-degree temperature swings will definitely trigger your "low air" sensor.