Ohio wakes up under a hard December freeze, with crisp air biting across central and southwestern counties. Frost coats windshields. Sidewalks crunch. Temperatures hover near 14 degrees early, making this the coldest morning of the week for the Wilmington–Columbus corridor.
Sunshine helps today, but the cold lingers. Afternoon highs struggle into the mid-30s, keeping winter firmly in control. Roads remain dry, yet refreezing is possible on shaded surfaces. Drivers should stay alert early, especially on rural roads and bridges.
A noticeable pattern shift begins Wednesday. Milder air moves in, pushing highs toward 40 degrees as clouds increase. To be fair, this brief warmup offers a false sense of calm. Meteorologists are tracking a developing system that arrives quickly afterward.
Thursday, December 18th, is the day to watch. Rain spreads in during the afternoon as temperatures climb near 51 degrees. Wet pavement becomes widespread by evening, especially along I-71, I-70, and Route 68.
Conditions change fast after sunset. Colder air surges south, triggering a rain-to-snow changeover Thursday night. Models hint at a wintry mix early, followed by light snow before tapering. Temperatures drop toward the low 20s, raising concerns for black ice.
Friday starts cold and unsettled. Snow chances linger into the morning, with highs near 30 degrees. Slushy spots may refreeze, creating slick travel for commuters and early holiday travelers.
The weekend calms but stays wintry. Saturday turns partly sunny with highs near 45 degrees. Sunday cools again, with clouds increasing and another light snow chance returning late.
Winter is clearly tightening its grip across Ohio. Conditions may deteriorate quickly during transitions.
Five-Day Outlook for Columbus/Wilmington, OH
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, high near 40°
- Thursday: Rain developing, high near 51°
- Friday: Snow possible early, high near 30°
- Saturday: Partly sunny, high near 45°
- Sunday: Chance of snow late, high near 41°
