Columbus, OH – A blast of Arctic air will send temperatures across Ohio plummeting next weekend, with subzero wind chills and single-digit lows expected between Thursday, December 11, and Monday, December 15. The system will bring the coldest air of the season to cities including Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo.
According to the National Weather Service, the incoming Arctic front will push southward late next week, delivering morning lows in the single digits and wind chills dipping to –10°F or colder at times. While skies will remain mostly clear, gusty northwest winds will amplify the chill, creating hazardous conditions for anyone outdoors for extended periods.
The cold outbreak is expected to be largely dry, with only light flurries possible in northern and eastern Ohio near Lake Erie. Despite limited snowfall, freezing conditions could impact morning commutes, particularly in shaded or untreated areas.
Meteorologists urge Ohio residents to take precautions ahead of the freeze: bundle up, bring pets indoors, and check heating systems before temperatures plunge. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes when wind chills fall below zero.
The Arctic air mass will remain entrenched through Monday, December 16, before temperatures begin to slowly moderate. A secondary cold front may follow later in the month.
Residents are encouraged to monitor updates from the National Weather Service Cleveland and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency for any cold-weather advisories or wind chill warnings.
