Columbus, OH – Ohio residents traveling for Thanksgiving should prepare for a round of rain on Wednesday followed by falling temperatures and a chance for snow in parts of the state, according to the latest Weather Prediction Center forecast.
According to the WPC, a strong cold front sweeping across the eastern United States will push widespread rainfall into Ohio Wednesday morning and afternoon. This system is expected to affect major routes including I-70, I-75, I-71, and I-80, leading to slower travel conditions during one of the busiest days of the year. Rain may be heavy at times, particularly in central and eastern Ohio, before colder air filters in behind the departing system.
Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 27, 2025) will bring drier conditions for much of the state, though cloud cover and chilly temperatures will linger. Highs will mostly remain in the upper 30s to low 40s. Northern Ohio, including the Cleveland and Toledo regions, may still see scattered lake-effect flurries, but significant accumulation is not expected.
By Black Friday (November 28, 2025), the colder air deepens across the Great Lakes region, increasing the chance for lake-effect snow along the I-90 corridor. While accumulations remain uncertain, travel impacts are possible during early morning shopping hours, especially near Lake Erie. Western and southern Ohio should remain mostly dry but cold, with brisk winds and wind chills dipping into the 20s.
Ohio travelers should plan for wet roads Wednesday, dress for colder weather Thursday, and stay alert for slick spots and reduced visibility on Friday—especially in northern counties influenced by lake-effect bands.
