Columbus, Ohio – A fresh surge of Arctic air is expected to roll back into Ohio and West Virginia during the first full week of February, bringing a prolonged stretch of bitter cold, subzero wind chills, and fewer opportunities for widespread snowstorms.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians are favored to run well below normal from Friday through the following Thursday as strong Arctic high pressure settles over the eastern U.S. Precipitation probabilities during that period lean below average, signaling a colder but drier pattern overall.
In Ohio, the coldest conditions are expected across northern and central areas, including Cleveland, Toledo, and Columbus, where overnight lows could dip into the single digits or below zero. Gusty northwest winds will push wind chills below zero at times, especially during the morning and overnight hours. Southern Ohio will also see sharply colder conditions, with daytime highs struggling through the teens during the coldest stretch.
Across West Virginia, the most severe cold is expected in the northern counties and higher elevations of the Allegheny Mountains. Charleston and the Kanawha Valley will see frigid mornings and limited daytime recovery, while mountain communities face prolonged freezing conditions and dangerous wind chills. Despite the deep cold, the prevailing pattern favors dry Arctic air, reducing the likelihood of major snowstorms. Light snow from quick-moving clippers or localized upslope activity remains possible, mainly in the mountains.
Residents should prepare for extended cold by protecting pipes, checking heating systems, and limiting prolonged outdoor exposure. Additional advisories could be issued as early February approaches and confidence in the cold pattern increases.
