Columbus saw light rain and fog early Thursday. At 7:51 a.m., John Glenn Columbus International Airport reported 46 degrees, northwest winds at 17 mph gusting to 28 mph, and visibility of 5 miles. The National Weather Service’s midday forecast calls for spotty showers this afternoon, with a high near 53 degrees. Airport observations and the latest Columbus forecast show the morning conditions and afternoon outlook.
Rain Lingers Into Thursday Night
The high should reach about 53 degrees Thursday, but the weather will stay mostly cloudy and unsettled. Rain chances remain elevated into the evening, and another one-tenth to one-quarter inch of rainfall could fall overnight as temperatures drop to around 38 degrees.
Drivers and pedestrians should expect wet roads, reduced visibility in spots and a noticeable chill after sunset. There are no watches, warnings or advisories in effect for the area.
Colder Air Arrives Friday
Friday brings a sharper turn toward late-fall weather, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 45 degrees. A slight chance of rain is forecast after 4 p.m., while temperatures drop to around 31 degrees Friday night. The National Weather Service’s Columbus forecast gives the updated high, rain timing and overnight low.
Spotty showers remain possible Friday, and colder air aloft could allow a few snowflakes to reach the ground. Saturday is expected to turn mostly sunny, with a high near 44 degrees. The National Weather Service’s forecast discussion says Friday’s colder air may support snowflakes, while its Columbus forecast calls for a mostly sunny Saturday.
The forecast’s possible flakes fit a broader cooldown, not a major winter storm: colder air moving into the Ohio Valley may support a few snowflakes among Friday’s spotty showers. The National Weather Service says high pressure is expected to end precipitation chances over the weekend, though the cooler air mass should keep highs in the 40s. The Wilmington office’s forecast discussion describes that shift from unsettled weather to a colder, drier weekend.
When Columbus Typically Sees First Snow
Columbus normally sees its first measurable snow around Nov. 20, according to NBC4 WCMH-TV, using the 1991-2020 period as a guide. That benchmark does not give a year-by-year range, so it does not quantify how much the date varies.
Columbus’ November climate baseline helps put the chill in perspective: the National Weather Service’s normals list a typical Nov. 12 high of 54 degrees and low of 36. The city averages 1.2 inches of snow for the month. Thursday’s forecast high near 53 is close to normal, while the colder nighttime readings point to the season’s usual transition toward winter. The National Weather Service’s Columbus November normals provide the daily temperature benchmarks and monthly snowfall average.
Sunshine Returns For The Weekend
Sunday looks mostly sunny with a high near 47 degrees, followed by a cold night near 31. Mostly sunny or sunny conditions continue into early next week, with highs near 49 Monday, 50 Tuesday and 53 Wednesday. The National Weather Service’s extended Columbus forecast lists the weekend and early-week outlook.
Those brighter afternoons come with chilly mornings: overnight lows are expected to range from about 29 to 32 degrees through Tuesday night. In other words, Columbus gets one more soggy Thursday before the forecast settles into a cold-and-clear November pattern. The National Weather Service’s extended forecast puts overnight lows in that range.
