Columbus, Ohio – New long-range federal climate guidance suggests February 2026 could bring above-normal snowfall across all of Ohio, with probabilities running approximately 50 to 60 percent above typical February levels.
According to outlook guidance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC), the entire state of Ohio is positioned within a broad corridor of enhanced snowfall potential extending from the Midwest into the Northeast. The signal indicates an increased likelihood of more frequent or longer-duration snow events during the month.
Both northern and southern portions of Ohio are included in the above-normal zone. Areas downwind of Lake Erie may see additional enhancement from lake-effect snow, while central and southern Ohio could experience more frequent synoptic winter storms capable of producing accumulating snowfall.
CPC monthly outlooks do not provide specific storm dates or snowfall totals. Instead, they assess how overall snowfall for the month compares to long-term averages. A 50–60 percent above-normal probability means February 2026 is more likely than not to exceed typical snowfall amounts across much of the state.
Temperature outlooks for February show near-normal conditions across Ohio. This setup favors snow rather than rain or mixed precipitation during many systems, especially during overnight periods and stronger cold-air intrusions. Forecasters note that near-average temperatures combined with increased storm frequency often support persistent snow cover and repeated travel disruptions.
Neighboring states including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia are also included in the above-normal snowfall zone, reinforcing confidence in a large-scale winter pattern rather than isolated events.
Commuters, students, and freight operators across Ohio are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts as February approaches, when outlooks are refined and confidence increases closer to the season.
