COLUMBUS, Ohio – A wet midweek stretch is setting the stage for a crisp, dry Halloween across central Ohio as steady rain today gives way to cooler, calmer air moving in from the northwest. Streets will glisten under scattered showers this morning, but the bigger story arrives with the seasonal cooldown by late week.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, steady rain will continue through much of Thursday with gusts up to 25 mph along I-70 and I-71. Daytime highs will stay in the low 50s before drier air takes hold Friday. That shift should bring welcome relief for families planning Trick-or-Treat events Friday evening, when skies clear and temperatures dip into the upper 40s under light winds.
Drivers should watch for slick pavement through Thursday morning and minor ponding in low-lying areas, especially near downtown Columbus and Grove City. Residents may also want to secure outdoor decorations and charge devices ahead of gusty periods today.
Friday’s calm, partly sunny setup favors safe, dry conditions for late-day costume parades and outdoor events. Layers will be key as the crisp fall air settles in—temperatures will fall quickly after sunset.
The weekend looks quiet and seasonable, with highs near 55 Saturday and a gradual warm-up Sunday before another cool surge begins early next week. To be fair, this is classic late-October patterning: rain followed by clear, brisk air and whispers of November’s chill waiting in the wings.
After all, November’s first week may open colder than average across much of Ohio, with early signs of a broader pre-winter cooldown.
Five-Day Forecast for Columbus, OH:
Wed: 56/46 – Cloudy with rain; breezy east winds up to 20 mph.
Thu: 51/39 – Rain likely; turning cooler with gusts near 25 mph.
Fri: 55/39 – Partly sunny; pleasant Trick-or-Treat evening near 48°.
Sat: 55/38 – Mostly sunny; cool and calm fall day.
Sun: 66/40 – Partly sunny; milder afternoon, next cool push due Monday.
