We know what you’re thinking.
It was literally 80 degrees this week. Why on Earth are we talking about winter?
While it’s true that even the fall equinox isn’t until Sept. 22, The Old Farmer’s Almanac is one step — or rather, one season — ahead, having already released its forecast for this upcoming winter. Spoiler alert, if you’re a Columbus local hanging onto summer heat or feeling good about what’s expected to be a comfortably temperate fall, this may not be the news you were hoping for.
Despite near-normal to slightly milder predicted conditions across most of the country, The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts a colder-than-normal winter in Columbus, including increased amounts of snowfall.
What else does the almanac foresee for central Ohio? Take a look.
When does winter start?
The first day of winter, marked by the winter solstice, will be Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10:03 a.m. EST.
Old Farmer’s Almanac winter 2025-26 forecast for Ohio
What your winter may look like depends a lot on what part of the Buckeye State you call home.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac divides Ohio into two regions. The Lower Lakes region encompasses the northern third of the state, while the rest is included in the Ohio Valley region.
This latter portion, which includes Columbus, is projected to have below normal, chillier temperatures. The Ohio Valley’s coldest periods typically occur in mid-to-late December, early January, late January into early February, and mid-March.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts near-to-above normal snowfall on the Ohio Valley’s eastern side — which includes cities like Pittsburgh and Charleston, South Carolina — and a below-normal amount on the western side, near the southern tip of Illinois.
The Ohio Valley’s snowiest periods are expected to be in late December, early January, early February and late February.
Ohio’s northern third, the Lower Lakes region, is projected to face a milder winter, with below-average precipitation and “patchy” snowfall. Temperatures should be above normal, and though “lake-effect snow” is likely during most of December and early-to-mid March, snowfall should generally be near-to-below normal.
Will this winter be colder in Ohio than other parts of the country?
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the following regions will have a warmer-than-average winter:
By contrast, these regions will have a colder-than-average winter:
How does the Old Farmer’s Almanac make predictions?
As the country’s oldest weather forecaster, The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts weather trends by “comparing solar patterns and historical weather conditions with current solar activity,” using solar science, climatology and meteorology disciplines to make long-range predictions, according to its website.
How accurate is The Old Farmer’s Almanac?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac claims an 80% accuracy rate with its predictions.
The almanac reported a 64% accuracy rate for the winter of 2023-24, which it attributed to abnormal weather patterns, per prior Dispatch reporting.
Reporter Emma Wozniak can be reached at ewozniak@dispatch.com or @emma_wozniak_ on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What will winter weather be like in Columbus? Here’s what The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts
Reporting by Emma Wozniak, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
