Columbus, OH – The Ohio Valley is gearing up for a colder and wetter stretch as November ends and December begins, with a strong likelihood of repeated storm systems and the potential for mixed precipitation in some areas.
According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, temperatures from Nov. 29 through Dec. 5 are expected to run below normal across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and much of West Virginia. The coldest departures from average appear centered over northern Ohio and eastern Indiana, where overnight temperatures may dip enough to support light wintry weather at times.
But the biggest signal in the forecast is the above-normal precipitation shaded prominently across the Ohio Valley. NOAA’s map shows a high-confidence zone of increased rainfall — and potential early-season snow — stretching from Kentucky through Indiana and Ohio into western Pennsylvania.
Metro areas such as Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, Indianapolis, Dayton, and Lexington can expect multiple rounds of cold, soaking rain, with periods of heavier precipitation likely as storm systems sweep across the region. Farther north and in higher elevations of eastern Kentucky and West Virginia, pockets of wintry mix or wet snow could develop, especially during overnight and early-morning hours.
At this stage, forecasters emphasize pattern certainty, not a specific storm. The setup favors a sequence of disturbances capable of producing travel delays, slick conditions, and reduced visibility at times — particularly along I-70, I-71, and I-75.
Residents are encouraged to follow local forecasts closely as the holiday travel season ramps up and temperatures continue trending downward.
