Columbus, Ohio – A crisp start to September is brewing for Ohio, where Labor Day weekend warmth will give way to a much cooler, wetter pattern by midweek. After sunshine dominates through Monday, temperatures will tumble fast, with some areas seeing overnight lows drop into the upper 40s by Tuesday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Columbus and surrounding counties will remain mostly sunny and dry through Labor Day, with daytime highs near 81°F. But by late Tuesday, a potent cold front will sweep through the state, bringing increased rain chances and marking a sharp drop in temperature across Central Ohio and much of the Midwest.
Travelers on I-70 and I-71 should be alert to changing road conditions after Tuesday. Showers are expected to move in by Wednesday morning, and combined with temperatures in the 50s, the first true taste of fall will be in full effect. This system will also usher in breezy north winds and a chance for thunderstorms into Thursday.
Residents should plan to enjoy the dry holiday weekend but keep rain gear and jackets handy for the second half of the week. Cooler air will dominate much of the region from September 4–8, with NOAA outlooks pointing to below-normal temperatures for a large swath of the Midwest.
More advisories may be issued as the front approaches, especially for Wednesday morning commutes.
Five Day Forecast for Columbus, Ohio
- Sunday: Sunny, high near 79°F. Light northeast winds.
- Labor Day (Monday): Sunny, high near 81°F. Calm winds shifting west.
- Tuesday: Partly cloudy, high around 80°F. Rain moves in late.
- Wednesday: Rain likely, high near 76°F. Low around 57°F. Chance of precipitation: 50%.
- Thursday: Thunderstorm risk, partly sunny, high near 68°F. Low near 48°F.
