Columbus, OH – Ohioans could be ringing in 2026 with unseasonably warm temperatures, as long-range forecasts point to a stretch of near-record heat developing after Christmas and continuing into the New Year.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 8–14 day temperature outlook for Saturday, December 27 through Friday, January 2 favors above-normal temperatures across Ohio, including Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo.
In the Columbus area, daytime highs during the post-Christmas to New Year’s period are expected to run well above late-December averages, with some afternoons potentially approaching or challenging daily temperature records. Late December typically marks one of the colder stretches of the year in Ohio, making the projected warmth especially notable for residents accustomed to snow and freezing temperatures.
Meteorologists say the warm pattern is being driven by a broad ridge of high pressure dominating much of the eastern United States, limiting cold air intrusions from Canada and keeping winter storm systems displaced farther north. As a result, overnight lows may also remain elevated, reducing the likelihood of widespread snow or ice during the holiday travel period.
The mild trend may persist beyond New Year’s Day. NOAA’s Week 3–4 outlook for January 3–16, 2026 continues to lean above average for temperatures across much of Ohio, particularly in central and southern portions of the state. While confidence decreases farther into January, current signals suggest a warmer-than-normal start to the new year.
The extended warmth could impact energy demand, travel conditions, and winter recreation, especially with limited opportunities for sustained snow cover. Forecasters caution that winter weather patterns can still change quickly, but for now, Ohio appears poised for a mild and unusual opening to 2026.
