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Central Ohio Braces for Friday Snow and Subzero Weekend Wind Chill

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    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Credit: 10 Weather Impact Source Full size
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    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Credit: 10 Weather Impact Source Full size
  • Saturday morning sets a new record low
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Saturday morning sets a new record low (Credit: WBNS) Source Full size
  • Winter Weather Advisories are in place over the 10TV viewing area for Friday.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Winter Weather Advisories are in place over the 10TV viewing area for Friday. (Credit: Michael Behrens) Source Full size
  • Snowfall forecast for Friday 2/6/2026.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Snowfall forecast for Friday 2/6/2026. (Credit: Michael Behrens) Source Full size
  • Saturday morning sets a new record low
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Saturday morning sets a new record low (Credit: WBNS) Source Full size
  • Saturday morning sets a new record low
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Saturday morning sets a new record low (Credit: WBNS) Source Full size
  • Snowfall totals around central Ohio from the winter storm January 24 & 25, 2026.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Snowfall totals around central Ohio from the winter storm January 24 & 25, 2026. (Credit: Aaron White) Source Full size
  • None
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Credit: 10 Weather Impact Source Full size
  • None
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Credit: 10 Weather Impact Source Full size

Record‑Breaking –9°F Low Triggers Extended Alert The city of Columbus hit a historic –9°F on Saturday morning, shattering the prior –6°F record and joining other regional stations that reported temperatures in the –10°F to –19°F range with wind chills plunging to –30°F [4][2]. The 10 Weather Impact service declared a Weather Impact Alert Day, extending it through Sunday as the bitter cold persisted [2]. Meteorologists attribute the deep freeze to a surge of arctic air moving south from Canada, which is expected to keep daytime highs below the 20s until the following week [2][3].

Statewide Snowpack Ranges From Eight to Over Sixteen Inches Snow accumulations across central Ohio vary from 8 inches to more than 16 inches, blanketing the entire state and reinforcing the frigid air mass [2][3]. The deep snow cover is projected to remain throughout the weekend, limiting any rapid temperature recovery [2]. Forecast models indicate that after the Friday system departs, deep‑single‑digit lows and strong winds will generate subzero wind chills on Saturday and Sunday [1]. A gradual warmup is anticipated early next week, with daytime highs potentially reaching the 40s by Tuesday [1][4].

School Districts Close for Fifth Day, Plan Monday Reopen Central Ohio school districts experienced a fifth consecutive day of closures as the winter storm persisted, with Hilliard City Schools canceling classes for the fourth time that week [6]. Parents relied on flexible work arrangements and digital learning tools to manage childcare during the shutdown [6]. By Sunday, most snow emergencies were lifted, and Mayor Andrew Ginther announced that Columbus City Schools are slated to resume classes on Monday, citing improved road conditions reported by the Ohio Department of Public Safety [5].

Friday Morning Snow Expected, Weekend Subzero Wind Chill Forecast new winter system will bring 1–2 inches of snow Friday morning, with isolated pockets reaching 3 inches, prompting a Winter Weather Advisory from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a 10 Weather Impact Day alert [1]. The advisory could be cancelled early if the snow clears before 2 p.m., but lingering moisture will still contribute to slippery roads during the commute [1]. After the snowfall ends, deep‑single‑digit temperatures and strong winds will produce subzero wind chills Saturday and Sunday, before a warming trend lifts temperatures above freezing early next week [1][2].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 2, 2025 – Columbus receives 3‑6 inches of snow, prompting Level 2 and Level 3 snow emergencies that restrict non‑essential travel and close roads to all but emergency vehicles [26].

Dec 2, 2025 – Columbus City Schools cancel Tuesday classes after overnight snowfall makes roads slippery, joining other districts in a region‑wide school shutdown [28].

Dec 2, 2025 – Franklin County courts close Tuesday as 2‑4 inches of snow accumulates, while multiple school districts remain closed under snow‑emergency orders [30].

Dec 5, 2025 – Ohio experiences record‑low wind chills, with temperatures in the single digits and wind‑chill values plunging well below the air temperature, prompting warnings of dangerous outdoor exposure [25].

Dec 12, 2025 – Columbus City Schools cancel several Saturday extracurricular events, citing forecasted 2‑5 inches of snow and expected blowing and drifting conditions that would hinder travel [24].

Dec 14, 2025 – A winter storm drops 1‑9 inches of snow across central Ohio, setting new local records (e.g., 5.4 inches at John Glenn Airport) and ushering in sub‑zero temperatures and wind chills below zero for the following days [23].

Jan 1, 2026 – The 10TV Weather Impact Team issues a Weather Impact Alert Day for up to 2 inches of snow, warning commuters of slippery roads and advising travelers to monitor conditions ahead of Ohio State football games and New Year’s Eve plans [20].

Jan 16, 2026 – The Columbus Metropolitan Library opens a portion of its main branch as a cold‑weather shelter from noon to 9 p.m., providing seating, Wi‑Fi and restrooms while all other branches close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day [19].

Jan 20‑21, 2026 – A Winter Storm Watch covers six southern Ohio counties, forecasting single‑digit temperatures and subzero wind chills from Friday night through Monday, with the strongest wind‑chill impacts expected Friday night into Saturday [18].

Jan 24, 2026 – Gov. Mike DeWine declares a state of emergency ahead of an approaching major winter storm, authorizing rapid procurement of shelters, road‑treatment supplies and emergency equipment, and urges residents to stay home unless travel is essential [17].

Jan 25, 2026 – A massive winter system dumps more than 16 inches of snow across central Ohio, triggers Level 2 and Level 3 snow emergencies, forces Ohio State to cancel Monday‑Tuesday in‑person classes, and leads Kroger and Giant Eagle to close stores early on Sunday as heavy snowfall continues [14][15][9][13][16].

Jan 26, 2026 – The Columbus Blue Jackets postpone their Monday night game against the Los Angeles Kings to March 9 due to a foot of snow and extreme cold, while 10TV launches continuous live coverage of the storm via its free 10TV+ streaming app [11][12].

Jan 27, 2026 – Columbus records a new all‑time low of –9 °F at John Glenn Airport, breaking the previous –6 °F record, with wind chills reaching –30 °F; forecasters project gradual daytime warming into the 20s‑30s the following week [4][10][2][3].

Jan 28, 2026 – Ten central Ohio districts, including Columbus City Schools and Olentangy Schools, announce Thursday closures as Arctic air drives wind‑chill values to –15 °F or lower, maintaining Weather Impact Alert Days through the weekend [8].

Jan 29, 2026 – Schools across central Ohio cancel Friday classes amid brutally cold Arctic air, with morning lows near zero, afternoon highs in the low teens, and wind chills staying at or below zero; Saturday may tie the Jan 31 record low of –6 °F [7][6].

Jan 30, 2026 – After a week of snow‑related closures, most central Ohio counties lift snow emergencies, and Mayor Andrew Ginther announces that Columbus City Schools will reopen on Monday, citing improving road conditions despite lingering extreme cold [5].

Jan 31, 2026 – Columbus officially records the –9 °F low, confirming it as the coldest temperature ever observed on that date, while nearby locations report –10 °F to –19 °F and wind chills of –30 °F, prompting health warnings for frostbite and hypothermia [4].

Feb 2, 2026 – Central Ohio braces for Friday‑morning snow, expecting 1‑2 inches (isolated 3‑inch spots) with slippery roads, followed by deep‑single‑digit lows and subzero wind chills over the weekend; forecasts call for temperatures rising above freezing into the 40s by early next week [1].

Feb 5, 2026 – Updated forecasts confirm the Friday‑morning snow will likely finish by 2 p.m., allowing the Winter Weather Advisory to end early, while the weekend will bring strong winds and subzero wind chills, with a gradual warm‑up to the 40s expected by the following Tuesday [1].

Mar 9, 2026 (planned) – The postponed Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Los Angeles Kings game is rescheduled for this date, with tickets remaining valid for the new matchup [11].

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