Columbus Braces for Snow, Frigid Temps This Weekend

Wintry weather to impact central Ohio through Saturday with accumulating snow and below-freezing highs.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Central Ohio is in for a chilly and snowy stretch of weather over the next several days, with temperatures struggling to reach the mid-20s Fahrenheit and a quick-moving clipper system expected to bring 1-3 inches of snow by Friday night. The cold air will stick around through the weekend, with Saturday's high only reaching around 16 degrees. Warmer weather is on the way next week, with highs potentially reaching the 40s by Tuesday.

Why it matters

The impending winter weather could impact travel, outdoor activities, and daily routines for residents in the Columbus area. The frigid temperatures and snow accumulation may also lead to hazardous road conditions and increased risk of power outages.

The details

The weather pattern will start with partly cloudy skies and highs around 25 degrees on Wednesday. Overnight lows will dip to around 7 degrees. Thursday will be mostly cloudy with a few flurries and a high near 24 degrees. The snow arrives on Friday, with the clipper system expected to bring 1-3 inches of accumulation by Friday night. Temperatures will reach a high of 35 degrees, so the snow may be slushy and wet. Breezy winds out of the northwest will push in the frigid air for the weekend, with Saturday's high only reaching 16 degrees and a morning low around 5 degrees. Sunday will be mostly cloudy with a few flurries and a high around 24 degrees.

  • On Wednesday, temperatures will reach a high of 25 degrees.
  • Overnight Wednesday into Thursday, low temperatures will drop to around 7 degrees.
  • On Thursday, the high temperature will be near 24 degrees with a few flurries.
  • On Friday, a clipper system will bring 1-3 inches of snow, with a high of 35 degrees.
  • On Saturday, the high temperature will only reach 16 degrees.

The players

Columbus, Ohio

The capital and largest city in the state of Ohio, located in the central part of the state.

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What’s next

Residents in the Columbus area should monitor the weather forecast and be prepared for potentially hazardous travel conditions, especially on Friday and Saturday. The frigid temperatures may also lead to increased energy usage and the risk of power outages.

The takeaway

The upcoming winter weather in Columbus will be a stark reminder that even in the midst of a warming climate, the Midwest can still experience extreme cold and snowfall. Residents should take precautions to stay safe and warm during the cold snap, and look forward to the return of milder temperatures next week.