Frigid Sun: Columbus Welcomes February Under Cold Weather Advisory

A Bitterly Cold Start to the Month

Columbus residents waking up this Sunday, February 1, 2026, are facing the coldest temperatures of the season so far. As the city rings in the first day of February, the National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory that remains in effect until 10:00 AM this morning. Early morning temperatures hovered between 11°F and 13°F, but the real story is the wind chill. With north winds blowing at approximately 10 mph, the air feels significantly colder, with wind chill values reported as low as -18°F in some parts of Franklin County.

Despite the biting cold, the morning sky offers a bit of a silver lining with partly sunny conditions. However, the sunlight will do little to move the mercury quickly. Commuters and early risers are urged to dress in multiple layers and limit outdoor exposure until the advisory expires later this morning.

Afternoon: Chilly Brightness

As we move into the afternoon, Columbus will see a mix of sun and clouds. The projected high for today is a modest 19°F, which remains well below the historical average for the start of February. While the northerly winds are expected to shift and become lighter, coming from the southwest at 5 to 7 mph, the atmosphere will remain crisp and wintry. Visibility is excellent at 10 miles, and the humidity sits around 61%, making for a very dry, cold air mass over central Ohio.

For those planning to be outdoors, it is important to note that even with the sun peaking through, the risk of frostbite on exposed skin remains a concern given the stagnant cold. The afternoon provides a brief window of relative stability before the temperatures begin their rapid descent once again after sunset.

Evening: Nighttime Temperatures Plummet

The evening forecast calls for partly cloudy skies as the temperature drops back into the single digits. We are expecting a nighttime low of approximately 3°F. While the chance of precipitation during the daylight hours remains low at around 10%, some localized reports suggest that late-night snow showers are possible as a minor system moves toward the Ohio Valley. Any accumulation is expected to be negligible, though a light dusting could create slick spots on untreated surfaces by Monday morning.

Safety Alerts and Wind Chill Warnings

The primary concern for today remains the extreme cold and the ongoing weather alerts. Local officials have emphasized the following safety tips for today:

• Check on Neighbors: Ensure the elderly and those without adequate heating are safe during this deep freeze.
• Protect Pets: Bring all pets indoors. If it is too cold for you, it is too cold for them.
• Monitor Pipes: Keep faucets dripping to prevent pipes from freezing as temperatures stay below the freezing mark for the duration of the day.
• Wind Chill Awareness: Be mindful that wind chill values can cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes on exposed skin.

Stay tuned to columbus.news for further updates as we track the potential for more significant snowfall arriving later this week.