Columbus, Ohio Weather Forecast: New year’s Eve & Beyond (Updated January 1, 2026)
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The start of 2026 in Columbus, Ohio, is off to a cold and snowy start. As of this morning, January 1st, a half-inch of new snow covers the city, with some surrounding areas reporting up to an inch. Expect continued wintry conditions through New Year’s Eve, followed by a brief respite before another system arrives mid-week. Here’s a detailed look at the forecast for the coming days.
New Year’s Eve: snow and Gusty Winds
Clouds will dominate the skies throughout the day today, January 1st, with temperatures hovering just below freezing. While some melting on exposed surfaces is absolutely possible during the midday hours, a new round of snow showers is expected to develop this evening and continue through new Year’s eve celebrations.
A strong cold front moving through the state tonight will bring gusty winds, possibly causing blowing and drifting snow. Road conditions will be slick, especially during periods of active snowfall. An additional 1 to 2 inches of snow accumulation is highly likely by sunrise on January 2nd. National Weather Service – Columbus, OH provides up-to-date warnings and forecasts.
New Year’s Day & Weekend Outlook: Cold but Sunny
New year’s Day will see the cold front move east, allowing for some sunshine to break through the clouds later in the afternoon.Though, temperatures will remain well below average, with highs onyl reaching the mid-20s Fahrenheit (approximately -4 Celsius). The average high for January 1st in Columbus is 38°F (National centers for Environmental Information).
Relatively quiet conditions are expected on Friday, January 2nd, with high pressure briefly dominating the weather pattern.
By Saturday morning, January 3rd, another high-pressure system will build into the Upper Midwest, potentially allowing for partial clearing and a view of the full moon between any cloud cover. More sunshine is anticipated on Sunday, January 4th.
Next week: A Return to Milder Temperatures & Rain
As the high-pressure system moves towards the east Coast on Monday, January 5th, a southerly breeze will begin to warm temperatures. Expect an increase in cloud cover as well.
Tuesday, January 6th, will be mainly cloudy and breezy.Another cold front is forecast to arrive late tuesday night, bringing scattered rain showers overnight into Wednesday, January 7th. Mild temperatures and scattered showers are likely to continue on Wednesday.
Key Takeaways:
* New Year’s Eve: Expect snow, gusty winds, and slick road conditions.
* New Year’s Day: Cold, but with increasing sunshine.
* Weekend: Mostly sunny and cold.
* Next Week: Warming trend with rain expected mid-week.
this forecast is subject to change, so stay updated with the latest information from the National Weather Service and local news sources.
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