You’ve probably already noticed the shift if you’ve stepped outside today. That crisp, biting air hitting your face isn’t just a fluke. Honestly, winter has finally decided to park itself right over central Ohio, and it’s not planning on leaving anytime soon. If you’re looking at the ten day weather forecast for columbus ohio, you’re basically looking at a roller coaster of "kinda cold" to "is my car even going to start?"
Today, Thursday, January 15, we’re sitting at a high of 24°F. It’s sunny, which is a nice lie from the universe, because it feels like 12°F with that northwest wind.
The deep freeze is coming for us
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: next Tuesday, January 20. Local experts like Michael Behrens over at 10TV have already put out a Weather Impact Alert for that morning. Why? Because we’re looking at a low of 5°F or 6°F, but the wind chills are going to be the real kicker. We’re talking -5°F to -15°F. That’s the kind of cold that makes your nose hairs freeze the second you inhale.
If you have a commute or kids waiting at a bus stop, that’s the day you want the heavy-duty parka.
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What the next few days look like
Before we hit that Tuesday floor, we’ve got a bit of a messy mix to deal with. Friday is looking cloudy with a high of 35°F, but don’t let that "warm-up" fool you. Light snow is expected to move in Friday night. Saturday keeps that trend going with snow showers and a high of 31°F. It’s not going to be a blizzard, but it’ll be enough to make the 270 loop a bit of a headache.
Sunday and Monday are the transition days. Temperatures start sliding down from 24°F on Sunday to a high of only 18°F on Monday. Monday night is when the floor really drops out, hitting 6°F.
Basically, the weekend is for grocery runs and the weekdays are for staying inside.
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Is there any relief in the ten day weather forecast for columbus ohio?
Surprisingly, yes. After we survive the Tuesday arctic blast, things start to rebound pretty quickly. By Wednesday, January 21, we’re back up to 39°F. It’s going to feel like a heatwave compared to the day before.
The end of next week actually looks remarkably mild. We’re seeing highs of 35°F on Thursday and jumping up to 42°F by Friday, January 23. It’s classic Ohio weather—one day you’re worried about frostbite, and three days later you’re wondering if you can get away with just a hoodie.
But keep those boots handy. Even with the warmer temps, there’s a consistent 20% to 35% chance of snow or a "light mixture of precip" through the end of the ten-day window.
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Looking at the big picture
According to the Farmers’ Almanac and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, this mid-January cold snap was actually predicted. They pointed to a "strong Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) event" crossing the Pacific, which usually leads to this kind of troughing over eastern North America. In plain English: the atmosphere is setup to funnel cold air straight from Canada into the Scioto Valley.
It’s also worth noting that while we’re seeing snow in the forecast almost every other day, the actual accumulation looks light. We’re in a "dry climate" phase for January 2026, so we’re getting the cold without the massive snow drifts—at least for now.
Practical steps for the week ahead
- Check your tire pressure now. These 20-degree drops in temperature will trigger your TPMS light faster than you can say "C-bus."
- Salt the driveway Friday night. Since we’re expecting a snow and light mix into Saturday, getting a base layer of salt down before the freeze-thaw cycle hits will save your back later.
- Tuesday morning prep. If you park outside, give yourself an extra 15 minutes on January 20. Engines struggle in those single digits, and you'll want that defrost running full blast before you pull out of the driveway.
- Drip the pipes. If you live in one of the older homes in German Village or Clintonville with less-than-ideal insulation, Monday night is the time to let those faucets drip to avoid a plumbing nightmare.