Final Update as of 9:24AM, 1/26/2026: Well, after all the model runs and predictions, the storm did indeed not only happen, but was a historic event for Central Ohio. A general 10″-15″ occurred in most areas. The 11.9″ at John Glenn International yesterday broke the daily snowfall record for the date, beating the old record of 4.7″ set in 1988. It also tied for the 3rd highest one-day snowfall total for any date in history, after only March 8, 2008’s 15.5″ and April 4, 1987’s 12.3″. Additionally, the 12″ storm total for January 24th-25th, 2026 will go down as the 7th biggest snowstorm of all-time in Columbus.
Although I had originally planned to delete this post after the storm, I have instead decided to keep it up for posterity reasons in memory of this historic weather event. When available, I may add snowfall total maps to the post.

Updated as of 8:22AM, 1/25/2026:
Columbus is waking up to a winter wonderland this morning. 6″-8″ has already fallen across the city with heavy snow rates continuing. In fact, the snow rate is about to get even heavier, with some of the strongest bands yet about to move in. The snowfall amounts are a bit higher than expected by this time, so with rates of 1″-2″ an hour falling for the next few hours, it is not out of the realm of possibility that the storm totals hit the higher estimates of 15″+.
Follow snow totals here: Area Snow Reports

Updated as of 12:47AM, 1/25/2026:
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Mesoscale Discussion for heavy snow in a swatch from southern Illinois into the Columbus area for snow rates of 1″+ per hour. The radar shows heavy snow bands moving east-northeast in Columbus from the Southwest, and these should continue to pound the area well into the morning hours of Sunday. Expect snowfall rates to dramatically increase in Columbus no later than 1AM-1:20AM.

Updated af 6:40PM, 1/24/2026:
Flakes starting to fly in the Columbus area!

Updated as of 3:24PM, 1/24/2026:
Some of the models are going absolutely bonkers with snow for Central Ohio. Here is the latest HRRR, showing totals approaching 2 FEET in Columbus.

Needless to say, this is pretty unlikely. However, it does continue to show the historic potential of this storm.

As for the on-the-ground status of things… Snow is falling across large parts of southern and western Indiana into the Indianapolis metro, and should be entering Ohio within the next hour or so. There will be some dry air intitially to overcome, but it seems based on obs that once a heavier band develops, the snow will quickly reach the ground. What is interesting to note is that the heaviest returns are heading right for Central Ohio.

Updated as of 12:42PM, 1/24/2026:
Governor DeWine has declared State of Emergency for the entire state in antipication of the storm.
Columbus Mayor Ginther has warned that a very rare Level 3 Snow Emergency may end up being issued at some point during the storm.

Meanwhile, short-range models continue to increase potential snow totals.
Here was the true ratio for the HRRR.

Those are some insane totals for Central and Southwest Ohio, very similar to March, 2008.

Previous Updates:
Updated as of 8:35AM, 1/24/2026:
Today’s the day! Short-range models overnight have actually increased snow totals across Columbus and Central Ohio. Curiously, NWS Wilmington went in the opposite direction and slightly lowered their own forecast, from 8″-15″ to 6″-14″. If models keep the same uptrends, I would expect them to increase predicted totals at some point today, and if so, I will update here. Regardless, I still think a solid 10″-12″ is likely, and based on the models, I think the potential for more than that is increasing.

Let’s take a look at some of the latest short-term models.
6Z NAM- 8″-10″ (10-1 Ratio)- NAM has been further north than most other models, and it brings the mixing line further into Ohio but still well south of Columbus. With true ratios, this would be 10″-13″.

6Z GEM: 8″-10 (10-1 Ratio)- The RGEM is further south with the heaviest snows than NAM, but also has higher totals, even at 10-1, in Ohio. True ratios would be 10″-13″.

12Z HRRR- 10″-12″ (10-1 Ratio)- The HRRR is a model that updates every hour. The latest shows the heaviest bands right through Central Ohio. True ratios would suggest 13″-15″.

6Z GFS- 10″-12″ (10-1 Ratio)- GFS is not a short-range model, but it has gone much higher with snow totals in Ohio, now bringing 14-15″ into the southern 1/3rd, and thats on 10-1. Should ratios be higher, it’s actually predicting 17″-18″ for part of the state, and Columbus would get 13″-14″ as well.

All other models bring high totals into the area, with the Euro remaining consistent with 15-16″ or so. Clearly there’s still some spread in totals, but they all generally bring a high chance of double-digit snowfall.

Meanwhile, as I said, Wilmington is hedging a bit given that they believe more mixing comes further north, but they do not have mixing coming into the Columbus area. Here is a snippet from the early morning discussion:
“Generally expect Snow amounts in the 8 to 10 inch range for much of
our area. Snow amounts across our south/southeast will of course be
dependent on how much of a mix develops, so amounts may be a tad on
the high side there. Would also not be surprised if we end up with
an axis of a foot or so somewhere across our area. Think the best
chance for this would be just to the northwest of the northward
extent of the mixed pcpn, most likely somewhere along the I-71
corridor.”

So they clearly believe that the highest snow totals will indeed be through Columbus.

All current warnings and advisories remain in place for both the upcoming storm and the current cold. Additional updates will be made as needed.

Updated as of 8:35AM, 1/24/2026:
Today’s the day! Short-range models overnight have actually increased snow totals across Columbus and Central Ohio. Curiously, NWS Wilmington went in the opposite direction and slightly lowered their own forecast, from 8″-15″ to 6″-14″. I’m not sure if this is just their normal tendency to be extra conservative, or something they’re sniffing out that the models clearly aren’t seeing. If models keep the same uptrends, I would expect them to increase predicted totals at some point today, and if so, I will update here. Regardless, I still think a solid 10″-12″ is likely, and based on the models, I think the potential for more than that is increasing.

Update as of 4:25PM, 1/23/2026:
No significant updates to speak of. It seems like any threat of mix/sleet has been squashed for anywhere close to Columbus, so that should not affect snow totals there or through most of Central Ohio. As for accululations, they largely look the same as well as models seem to be honing in on a final track. At least 8″ is all but guaranteed across the region, and chances for double-digit snowfall is also highly likely for many locations. I would expect Columbus itself to range from 10″-12″, all said and done, but I would not be surprised if some areas saw up to 14″-15″. It’s just about nowcast time as the storm is taking shape in the Southern Plains.

Update as of 8:20AM, 1/23/2026.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for all of Central Ohio. The Warning calls for 8″-12″, though the Columbus point forecast has up to 15″ possible. Here is the warning text:
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
127 AM EST Fri Jan 23 2026
Wayne-Fayette-Union-Franklin-Ripley-Dearborn-Darke-Shelby-Logan-Union-Delaware-Miami-Champaign-Clark-Madison-Franklin-Licking-Preble-Montgomery-Greene-Fayette-Pickaway-Fairfield-Butler-Warren-Clinton-Hocking-Hamilton-
Including the cities of Newark, Liberty, Troy, Versailles, Connersville, Bright, Beavercreek, Middletown, Eaton, Greendale, London, Plain City, Logan, Osgood, Urbana, Downtown Cincinnati, Wilmington, Marysville, Milan, Piqua, Brookville, Hidden Valley, Tipp City, Kettering, Franklin, Greenville, Washington Court House, Springfield, Camden, Lancaster, Oxford, Downtown Dayton, Batesville, Xenia, Lebanon, Pickerington, Blanchester, Mason, Landen, Aurora, Delaware, Circleville, Bellefontaine, Fairfield, Springboro, West College Corner, Richmond, Fairborn, Hamilton,
West Jefferson, Downtown Columbus, Lawrenceburg, Dillsboro, and Sidney
127 AM EST Fri Jan 23 2026
…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SATURDAY TO NOON EST MONDAY…
* WHAT…Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 12 inches.
* WHERE…Portions of east central and southeast Indiana and central, southwest, and west central Ohio.
* WHEN…From 10 AM Saturday to noon EST Monday.
* IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.

Here is the NWS point forecast for Columbus:
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 17. Wind chill values as low as -3. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 2. Wind chill values as low as -8. North wind 6 to 9 mph.
Saturday
A chance of snow after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 14. Wind chill values as low as -8. East wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday Night
Snow. Low around 12. Wind chill values as low as zero. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 24. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Sunday Night
Snow likely, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 9. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Monday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 16.

As to the evolution of the upcoming storm, it should begin sometime Saturday afternoon, most likely after 5PM. Overnight, models seem to have largely gotten rid of the idea of two distinct waves and have instead coalesced around one longer wave with just lighter snow Saturday evening instead of an actual break. The threat of mixing or sleet lowering totals is low at this point. Most models continue the snow through early Monday morning.

Either way, it seems that Central Ohio is set for a historic, and likely record-breaking snowstorm. The daily snowfall records for January 24th, 25th and 26th are as follows:
January 24th: 5.7″ set in 1948
January 25th: 4.7″ set in 1988
January 26th: 4.4″ set in the Great Blizzard of 1978
It’s unclear if the records on the 24th and 26th will be surpassed, but it’s almost a guarantee that the 25th’s will be.

Additionally, it is possible that this storm becomes the largest on record for January. Here are the top 5 snowstorms for the month:
January 6-7, 1901: 12.7″
January 8-9, 1884: 10.2″
January 13-14, 1917: 10.0″
January 16-17, 1978: 9.9″
January 6-7, 1996: 9.8″

Could this also become one of the largest snowstorms ever for Columbus?

Another side of the storm will obviously be the very cold weather during and after. Wind chills of -10 to -15 are expected over the next few days and beyond. As such, NWS has issued a Cold Weather Advisory.
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
134 AM EST Fri Jan 23 2026
Fayette-Union-Franklin-Ripley-Dearborn-Ohio-Switzerland-Carroll-Gallatin-Boone-Kenton-Campbell-Owen-Grant-Pendleton-Bracken-Robertson-Mason-Lewis-Union-Delaware-Miami-Champaign-Clark-Madison-Franklin-Licking-Preble-Montgomery-Greene-Fayette-Pickaway-Fairfield-Butler-Warren-Clinton-Ross-Hocking-Hamilton-
Clermont-Brown-Highland-Adams-Pike-Scioto-
Including the cities of Withamsville, Carrollton, Troy,
Crittenden, Bright, Beavercreek, Middletown, Head Of Grassy, Eaton, Greendale, Fort Thomas, Day Heights, Brookville, Kettering, Hillsboro, Pike Lake, Summerside, Mount Carmel, Pickerington, Landen, Delaware, Highland Heights, Circleville, Winchester, Dayton, West College Corner, Fairborn, West Jefferson, Greenfield, Williamstown, Dillsboro, Seaman, Liberty, Erlanger, Newport, Wilmington, Independence, Aberdeen, Peebles, Waverly, Springfield, Butler, Batesville, Xenia, Bellevue, Downtown Columbus, Lawrenceburg, Mount Repose, Versailles, Augusta, Ripley, Covington, Piketon, Milan, Burlington, Franklin, Manchester, Camp Dix, Florence, Owenton, Washington Court House, Oakbrook, Lancaster, Oxford, Lebanon, Mason, Aurora, Wheelersburg, Georgetown, Warsaw, Osgood, Newark, Rising Sun, Brooksville, Connersville, Vanceburg, Plain City, London, Logan, Downtown Cincinnati, Marysville, Piqua, West Union, Hidden Valley, Tipp City, Portsmouth, Mount Orab, Camden, Maysville,
Chillicothe, Downtown Dayton, Milford, Tollesboro, Blanchester, Mulberry, Falmouth, Springboro, Vevay, Fairfield, Mount Olivet, Alexandria, Hamilton, Dry Ridge, and Urbana
134 AM EST Fri Jan 23 2026
…COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EST SATURDAY…
* WHAT…Very cold wind chills as low as 12 below zero expected.
* WHERE…Portions of east central and southeast Indiana, northeast and northern Kentucky, and central, south central, southwest, and west central Ohio.
* WHEN…From 6 PM this evening to noon EST Saturday.
* IMPACTS…The cold wind chills as low as 10 below zero could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.

This advisory is likely to be extended beyond Saturday, as temperatures are expected to remain very cold through the end of the month. In fact, they should remain below freezing through the first week of February.

Additionally, there are signs that another snow event, a potential clipper, may impact areas of Ohio perhaps on the 29th. It is showing up on several models, but the details are sketchy. Needless to say, the pattern will be very wintry for the next few weeks.

Updated as of 3PM, 1/22/2026.
The NWS Point Forecast now calls for 6″-10″ through Sunday daytime with additional accumulation through Monday morning, so 8″-12″ is likely where they are. This still may be a bit low compared to forecast models, but we’ll have to see how that situation evolves.

Updated as of 12:40PM, 1/22/2026.
A Winter Storm Watch was issued by NWS Wilmington early this morning. Here is that watch:
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
205 AM EST Thu Jan 22 2026
Wayne-Fayette-Union-Franklin-Union-Delaware-Miami-Champaign-Clark-Madison-Franklin-Licking-Preble-Montgomery-Greene-Butler-
Including the cities of Richmond, Springfield, Fairborn, Oxford, Fairfield, Beavercreek, Middletown, Newark, Troy, Camden,
Delaware, Xenia, Brookville, Kettering, Downtown Columbus, Piqua, Urbana, Hamilton, Plain City, Liberty, West Jefferson,
Connersville, West College Corner, Eaton, Downtown Dayton, Tipp City, London, and Marysville
…WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT…
* WHAT…Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches possible.
* WHERE…Portions of east central and southeast Indiana and central, southwest, and west central Ohio.
* WHEN…From Saturday afternoon through late Sunday night.
* IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult.

Models have gradually shifted the heaviest snows through South-Central and Central Ohio. Here are the latest model run snowfall forecast maps.
12Z NAM: 12″-14″ (True ratio)

0Z EURO: 14″-16″ (True ratio)

12Z GFS: “6-8” (10-1 ratio)

12Z GEM: 7″-9″ (10-1 ratio)

12Z ICON: 10″-12″ (True ratio)

“True ratio” is the snow amounts predicted by the total liquid precipitation multiplied by how high the snow-to-liquid ratio is predicted to be. They are essentially the full totals the model believes will fall. For 10-1 ratios on some models, these are likely to be below actual totals. The ratios for this event are highly likely to be well above 10-1, perhaps double, so GFS and GEM totals using those ratios are likely to be too low, as is the NWS forecast in the Watch. Needless to say, the models are showing the most significant snowstorm for Central Ohio since March, 2008.

As of 6PM, 1/21/2026, here were the latest snowfall maps via the various models.
18z ICON: 10″-13″ (True ratio)

18z GFS: 1″-3″ (10-1 ratio)

12z GEM: 6″-10″ (10-1 ratio)

9z Euro: 14″-16″ (True ratio)

Obviously, there is a large range. The 18z GFS is notorious for bad runs, so keep that in mind. All others are showing a significant event.

In the meantime, Wilmington NWS office has issued a Winter Storm Watch for all of far southern Ohio. I would expect those watches to be issued further north sometime over the next day or so. WInter Storm Watch

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