Columbus rolled out of bed Tuesday to mostly clear skies, teeth-chattering low 30s, and a Freeze Warning hanging on until 10 a.m. The marching orders for the morning are simple: cover or move any tender plants and protect exposed outdoor plumbing while the chill hangs around through mid-morning. After that, the switch flips fast, with sunshine taking over and a high near 466F expected this afternoon as the warm-up kicks in.
Today and Tonight
Skies stay sunny, and the thermometer is forecast to climb to a high near 466F, although a north breeze around 7 to 10 mph will keep it feeling a little sharp in open areas. The Freeze Warning remains in place until 10 a.m., and tonight's lows are projected to drop back to around 286F. That means patchy frost and brief dips below freezing could return before sunrise Wednesday. Forecasters are blunt about it: "Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold" and keep an eye on updates from the National Weather Service in Wilmington, OH.
Midweek Warm-Up
The cold does not stick around for long. Widespread frost is possible before 7 a.m. Wednesday, then sunshine is expected to push highs to about 636F that afternoon. By Thursday, the warm-up is in full swing with highs near 746F and mostly sunny skies. A slight chance of showers creeps in on Friday afternoon, but the broader trend stays mild. Sunday currently looks especially toasty, with highs near 826F, a dramatic swing after Tuesday morning's freeze.
How To Protect Plants And Pipes
Potted plants are the easiest to save, so bring them indoors or move them onto a sheltered porch. In-ground beds should be covered, and it is smart to hold off on new planting until overnight lows stop flirting with freezing. Wrap any exposed outdoor pipes, and if you can, drain or insulate irrigation lines before the next cold snap pays a visit. For background on last night's frost watches and earlier guidance, revisit Columbus shivers under frost alerts.
Bottom Line
The Freeze Warning relaxes by late morning, but another crisp night is still on the table, so double check the forecast before you set sprinkler timers or commit to moving plants outside for good. Check the NWS Wilmington forecast for hour-by-hour temperatures and any tweaks to local freeze headlines as the pattern flips from cold start to spring surge.
