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Ohio Weather: Columbus Thanksgiving Rain or Snow as Wetter November Pattern Emerges?
COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio is heading into November with temperatures climbing into the 70s around Columbus, but NOAA's extended outlooks are already raising questions about rain, snow and Thanksgiving holid
By Marcus Hale · 2026-10-31T08:04:20.935Z
COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio is heading into November with temperatures climbing into the 70s around Columbus, but NOAA's extended outlooks are already raising questions about rain, snow and Thanksgiving holiday travel as precipitation patterns shift later in the month.
The opening days of November will bring unusually mild feeling afternoons, including a forecast high near 75 degrees Tuesday. Farther ahead, federal outlooks favor warmer than normal temperatures while suggesting precipitation could become more likely during the two weeks surrounding Thanksgiving.
Columbus Could Reach 75 Degrees Before Midweek Rain Returns According to the National Weather Service, Columbus will see mostly cloudy skies Saturday, Oct. 31, with a high near 66 degrees.
Sunday warms to 72 degrees as clouds gradually decrease, followed by a high near 67 Monday and 75 Tuesday.
The dry stretch begins changing Tuesday night, when showers become possible after 2 a.m., with a 30% precipitation chance.
Wednesday brings a 60% chance of showers and a high near 73 degrees. Rain remains likely Wednesday night, with another 60% chance before probabilities decrease later in the week.
Ohio residents will also turn clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, bringing earlier sunsets and more evening travel after dark.
NOAA November Outlook Favors Warmth as Rain Patterns Shift NOAA's Climate Prediction Center outlooks issued Friday, Oct. 30, favor above normal temperatures across Ohio during Nov. 5 9 and Nov. 7 13.
The Nov. 14 27 temperature outlook continues to favor above normal temperatures across the state, including central Ohio.
Precipitation probabilities change during the month.
The Nov. 5 9 outlook places much of Ohio, including Columbus, in an area with no clear preference for above or below normal precipitation.
During Nov. 7 13, below normal precipitation becomes favored across much of Ohio.
By Nov. 14 27, the outlook shifts toward above normal precipitation across southern and central Ohio, including the Columbus area, with probabilities generally around 33 40%.
That final period includes Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 26, and the surrounding holiday travel window.
Thanksgiving Holiday Travel: Could Ohio See Rain or Snow? The wetter late November signal raises questions about what type of precipitation could develop as Thanksgiving approaches.
However, NOAA's extended outlook does not identify a specific holiday storm, snowfall totals or travel disruptions.
Above normal temperatures are favored overall, but that does not rule out individual cold periods or the possibility of snow during late November.
The precipitation outlook also does not establish whether Columbus will receive rain or snow on Thanksgiving Day itself.
For now, the more immediate weather change arrives Wednesday, when shower chances increase to 60%.
As Thanksgiving approaches, shorter range forecasts will help determine whether the wetter late November signal translates into rain, snow or dry conditions during the holiday travel period.
Columbus Five Day Weather Forecast Sunday, Nov. 1: Cloudy early, gradually becoming mostly sunny, high near 72°F. Mostly cloudy overnight, low around 53°F. Monday, Nov. 2: Mostly cloudy, high near 67°F, with a 20% chance of showers. Mostly cloudy overnight, low around 53°F. Tuesday, Nov. 3: Partly sunny, high near 75°F. Mostly cloudy overnight, low around 58°F, with a 30% chance of showers after 2 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4: Showers likely, high near 73°F, with a 60% precipitation chance. Showers remain likely overnight, low around 56°F, with a 60% chance. Thursday, Nov. 5: Partly sunny, high near 70°F, with a 40% chance of showers. Mostly cloudy overnight, low around 52°F, with a 30% chance of showers.