Columbus, OH – Ohio enters the holiday stretch under NOAA’s “equal chances” temperature outlook, but forecasters say residents should still prepare for snow or mixed precipitation from December 20 through January 2. With Christmas and New Years inside this window, much of the state may experience wintry travel conditions.
According to NOAA, Ohio is part of a broad EC zone stretching from Washington to New Jersey, meaning temperatures could track slightly above or below normal depending on storm timing. Even with no dominant temperature signal, Ohio’s late-December climate naturally supports snow, especially across northern and interior counties.
Precipitation outlooks also place Ohio in an equal-chances zone, indicating totals should fall near seasonal norms. At this time of year, that usually translates to multiple opportunities for snow, along with periods of rain-to-snow or wintry mixing across the southern half of the state.
Communities across Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Akron, and Youngstown should prepare for slick roads, reduced visibility, and shifting precipitation types during the Dec. 20–Jan. 2 period. Lake-effect snow may also develop at times across northeast Ohio, especially if colder air pulls across Lake Erie behind passing systems.
Northern Ohio—including the Cleveland metro, Sandusky region, and the I-90 corridor—holds the strongest potential for accumulating snow and a possible White Christmas if colder air aligns with incoming systems.
Southern and western regions may see more frequent mixing, but brief cold snaps could still produce wintry conditions during overnight hours.
Travelers are encouraged to follow updated forecasts, as expected coastal and inland-tracking systems may bring impactful snow depending on timing.
