Tag Archives: Columbus Ohio winter weather

Winter 2018-2019 Review

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Winter 2018-2019 Review Columbus, Ohio

The Winter 2018-2019 Review reveals the season was another one of extremes, with record highs and near record lows, snowy months and snowless months. The only real consistency was how wet it was.

Temperature and snowfall ranking data goes back to the winter of 1878-1879. Snow depth ranking data goes back to 1940. Rankings are accurate through the 2018-2019 winter.

December-February Only
Average High: 41.4 22nd Warmest
Average Low: 26.4 21st Warmest
Mean: 33.8 24th Warmest
Precipitation: 12.15″ 8th Wettest
Snowfall: 23.3″ 35th Snowiest
Average Daily Snow Depth: 0.5″
32 or Below Highs: 22 16th Fewest
32 or Below Lows: 66 14th Fewest
Measurable Precipitation Days: 43 10th Most
Measurable Snowfall Days: 22 15th Most
Deepest Snow Depth: 4″ on January 13th and 20th, February 1st and 2nd
Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 17 14th Fewest

Entire Cold Season- October-April
Average High: 49.7 27th Warmest
Average Low: 33.3 25th Warmest
Mean: 41.5 23rd Warmest
Precipitation: 29.33″ 3rd Wettest
Snowfall: 27.4″ 44th Snowiest
Average Snow Depth: 0.2″
32 or Below Highs: 27 17th Fewest
32 or Below Lows: 106 25th Fewest
Measurable Precipitation Days: 91 14th Most
Measurable Snowfall Days: 29 16th Most
Deepest Snow Depth: 4″ on January 13th and 20th, February 1st and 2nd
Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 20 13th Fewest

Average High By Month
October 2018: 65.7 43rd Warmest
November 2018: 45.2 8th Coldest
December 2018: 44.1 21st Warmest
January 2019: 36.6 48th Coldest
February 2019: 43.4 25th Warmest
March 2019: 47.5 36th Coldest
April 2019: 65.4 21st Warmest

Average Low By Month
October 2018: 47.2 25th Warmest
November 2018: 33.2 28th Coldest
December 2018: 30.6 15th Warmest
January 2019: 22.2 47th Warmest
February 2019: 26.3 33rd Warmest
March 2019: 28.7 27th Coldest
April 2019: 44.6 12th Warmest

Mean By Month
October 2018: 56.5 28th Warmest
November 2018: 39.2 14th Coldest
December 2018: 37.3 18th Warmest
January 2019: 29.4 51st Coldest
February 2019: 34.8 30th Warmest
March 2019: 38.1 34th Coldest
April 2019: 55.0 14th Warmest

Precipitation By Month
October 2018: 2.60″ 43rd Wettest
November 2018: 5.70″ 4th Wettest
December 2018: 3.57″ 30th Wettest
January 2019: 3.09″ 47th Wettest
February 2019: 5.49″ 6th Wettest
March 2019: 5.33″ 15th Wettest
April 2019: 3.55″ 54th Wettest

Snowfall By Month
October 2018: 0.0″
November 2018: 2.1″
December 2018: 0.4″
January 2019: 11.3″
February 2019: 11.6″
March 2019: 2.0″
April 201: 0.0″

Average Daily Snow Depth By Month
October 2018: 0.0″
November 2018: Trace
December 2018: 0.0″
January 2019: 1″
February 2019: 0.5″
March 2019: 0.1″
April 2019: 0.0″

Maximum High By Month
October: 88 on the 6th and 8th
November: 61 on the 1st
December: 66 on the 2nd
January: 62 on the 8th
February: 62 on the 7th
March: 75 on the 14th
April: 82 on the 11th

Maximum High Records
-The 62 on February 7th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 61 set in 1925.

Minimum High By Month
October: 49 on the 21st
November: 30 on the 28th
December: 28 on the 8th
January: 11 on the 31st
February: 22 on the 1st
March: 20 on the 5th
April: 43 on the 1st

Minimum High Records
-The 33 on November 14th tied the record set in 2014.
-The 20 on March 5th tied the record set in 1890.

Maximum Low By Month
October: 69 on the 2nd and 9th
November: 50 on the 5th
December: 46 on the 15th
January: 41 on the 8th
February: 43 on the 6th
March: 51 on the 14th and 29th
April: 64 on the 18th

Maximum Low Records
-The 69 on October 2nd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 68 set in 1881 and 1884.
-The 68 on October 8th tied the record for the date set in 1879.
-The 69 on October 9th tied the record for the date set in 1879.
-The 68 on October 10th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 66 set in 1879.
-The 43 on February 6th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 42 set in 1991.
-The 64 on April 18th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 63 set in 1941.

Minimum Low By Month
October: 32 on the 22nd and 25th
November: 22 on the 10th and 11th
December: 16 on the 10th
January: -4 on the 30th and 31st
February: 9 on the 2nd
March: 7 on the 5th
April: 24 on the 1st

Highest Daily Precipitation By Month
October: 0.63″ on the 31st
November: 1.80″ on the 1st
December: 1.01″ on the 31st
January: 0.81″ on the 19th
February: 1.22″ on the 20th
March: 1.97″ on the 30th
April: 0.77″ on the 19th

Precipitation Records
-The 1.80″ on November 2nd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 1.45″ set in 1984.
-The 1.01″ on December 31st was a record for the date, beating the old record of 0.89″ set in 1887.
-The 0.91″ on February 12th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 0.77″ in 1930.
-The 1.97″ on March 30th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 1.47″ set in 1987.

Highest Daily Snowfall By Month
October: 0.0″
November: 1.3″ on the 15th
December: 0.2″ on the 5th
January: 4″ on the 12th
February: 4.2″ on the 1st
March: 1.9″ on the 3rd
April: 0.0″

Deepest Snow Depth By Month
October: 0″
November: 1″
December: 0″
January: 4″ on the 13th and 20th
February: 4″ on the 1st and 2nd
March: 2″ on the 1st
April: 0″

Overall, the winter of 2018-2019, while having a few cold spells, was largely warmer than normal. It was also wet and had snowfall near normal.

For more winter season records and local weather information, visit Winter Season Records or
Wilmington National Weather Service.



The Biggest Snowstorms of All Time

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The biggest snowstorms of all time Columbus, Ohio

East Broad Street after a snowstorm in March, 1906.

In light of yesterday’s strange storm that challenged local forecasters, I thought it might be time to look at the biggest snowstorms of all time in Columbus, or at least since records began in 1878. I looked up the total snowfall over different periods of time.

Top 20 Largest Single Snowstorms of Any Duration
1. 3/7-3/8/2008: 20.5″
2. 2/14-2/17/2003: 15.5″
3. 2/16-2/19/1910: 15.3″
4. 11/23-11/29/1950: 15.2″
5. 1/6-1/7/1910: 12.7″
6. 4/3-4/5/1987: 12.6″
7. 1/7-1/9/1884, 2/11-2/12/1910: 10.6″
8. 2/15-2/16/2010, 2/4-2/5/2014: 10.4″
9. 3/19-3/20/1906, 1/13-1/14/1917: 10.0″
10. 2/7-2/8/1971, 1/16-1/17/1978, 2/5-2/6/2010: 9.9″
11. 1/6-1/7/1996: 9.8″
12. 1/13-1/15/1968, 2/27-2/28/1984: 9.5″
13. 2/13-2/14/1914: 9.3″
14. 3/5-3/6/1962: 9.2″
15. 12/19-12/20/1960: 8.8″
16. 1/14-1/15/1918: 8.5″
17. 2/25-2/26/1934: 8.4″
18. 1/31-2/1/1881, 2/25-2/26/2014: 8.3″
19. 3/11-3/12/1906: 8.2″
20. 12/3-12/4/1957: 8.1″

Top 12 Largest 1-Day Snowfalls
1. 3/8/2008: 15.5″
2. 4/4/1987: 12.3″
3. 1/6/1910: 11.9″
4. 2/15/2010: 9.7″
5. 3/19/1906: 9.6″
6. 2/5/2010: 9.0″
7. 2/8/1971, 2/16/2003: 8.9″
8. 1/7/1996: 8.8″
9. 3/5/1962: 8.6″
10. 1/8/1884: 8.5″
11. 2/16/1910: 8.2″
12. 12/3/1957: 7.9″

Top 12 Largest 2-Day Snowfalls
1. 3/7-3/8/2008: 20.5″
2. 3/8-3/9/2008: 15.5″
3. 2/16-2/17/1910: 15.0″
4. 1/6-1/7/1910: 12.7″
5. 4/4-4/5/1987: 12.5″
6. 4/3-4/4/1987: 12.4″
7. 2/15-2/16/2003: 12.0″
8. 1/5-1/6/1910: 11.9″
9. 2/16-2/17/2003: 10.8″
10. 2/11-2/12/1910, 2/4-2/5/2014: 10.6″
11. 2/15-2/16/2010: 10.4″
12. 1/8-1/9/1884: 10.2″

Top 12 Largest 3-Day Snowfalls
1. 3/6-3/8/2008, 3/7-3/9/2008: 20.5″
2. 3/8-3/10/2008: 15.5″
3. 2/16-2/18/1910: 15.3″
4. 2/15-2/17/1910: 15.0″
5. 2/15-2/17/2003: 13.9″
6. 2/14-2/16/2003: 13.6″
7. 1/5-1/7/1910, 1/6-1/8/1910: 12.7″
8. 4/3-4/5/1987: 12.6″
9. 4/4-4/6/1987: 12.5″
10. 4/2-4/4/1987: 12.4″
11. 1/4-1/6/1910, 1/7-1/9/1996: 11.9″
12. 11/25-11/27/1950: 11.5″

Players struggle during the infamous Ohio State-Michigan Snow Bowl game on November 27, 1950.



Top 12 5-Day Snowfalls
1. 3/4-3/8/2008, 3/5-3/9/2008: 21.2″
2. 3/6-3/10/2008, 3/7-3/11/2008: 20.5″
3. 1/16-1/20/1978: 17.6″
4. 3/31-4/4/1987: 16.4″
5. 2/15-2/19/2003: 15.9″
6. 4/2-4/6/1886: 15.7″
7. 2/13-2/17/2003, 2/14-2/18/2003, 3/8-3/12/2008: 15.5″
8. 2/14-2/18/1910, 2/15-2/19/1910, 2/16-2/20/1910: 15.3″
9. 2/13-2/17/1910: 15.0″
10. 4/3-4/7/1886, 2/12-2/16/1910, 2/5-2/9/2010: 14.3″
11. 1/17-1/21/1978: 14.2″
12. 2/12-2/16/2003: 14.0″

Top 12 Largest 7-Day Snowfalls
1. 2/11-2/17/1910: 25.6″
2. 2/12-2/18/1910: 21.4″
3. 3/2-3/8/2008, 3/3-3/9/2008, 3/4-3/10/2008, 3/5-3/11/2008: 21.2″
4. 3/6-3/12/2008, 3/7-3/13/2008: 20.5″
5. 1/14-1/20/1978: 19.0″
6. 2/10-2/16/1910: 18.8″
7. 3/30-4/5/1987: 18.3″
8. 3/29-4/4/1987: 18.1
9. 1/15-1/21/1978, 1/16-1/22/1978: 17.8″
10. 2/13-2/19/2003, 2/14-2/20/2003: 17.5″
11. 2/10-2/16/2003: 17.0″
12. 4/1-4/7/1886, 4/2-4/8/1886: 16.9″

Top 12 10-Day Snowfalls
1. 2/9-2/18/1910: 28.4″
2. 2/8-2/17/1910: 28.1″
3. 2/10-2/19/1910, 2/11-2/20/1910: 25.9″
4. 3/11-3/20/1906: 23.5″
5. 3/10-3/19/1906: 23.1″
6. 2/28-3/8/2008, 2/29-3/9/2008: 21.7″
7. 2/12-2/21/1910: 21.4″
8. 2/7-2/16/1910: 21.3″
9. 3/1-3/10/2008, 3/2-3/11/2008, 3/3-3/12/2008, 3/4-3/13/2008, 3/5-3/14/2008: 21.2″
10. 2/10-2/19/2003: 20.9″
11. 1/12-1/21/1978, 1/2-1/11/1996: 20.8″
12. 1/11-1/20/1978: 20.6″

Top 12 Largest 15-Day Snowfalls
1. 2/8-2/22/1910, 2/9-2/23/1910: 28.8″
2. 2/3-2/17/1910: 28.5″
3. 2/4-2/18/1910, 2/5-2/19/1910, 2/6-2/20/1910, 2/7-2/21/1910: 28.4″
4. 2/10-2/24/1910, 2/11-2/25/1910: 26.3″
5. 2/2-2/16/2010: 25.8″
6. 1/7-1/21/1978, 1/8-1/22/1978: 25.7″
7. 1/6-1/20/1978, 2/3-2/17/2010, 2/4-2/18/2010, 2/5-2/19/2010: 25.5″
8. 1/12-1/26/1978: 25.2″
9. 2/1-2/15/2010: 25.1″
10. 3/10-3/24/1906, 3/11-3/25/1906, 1/13-1/27/1978: 24.8″
11. 1/14-1/28/1978, 2/10-2/24/2003: 24.5″
12. 3/6-3/20/1906, 3/7-3/21/1906: 23.8″

Top 12 Largest 30-Day Snowfalls
1. 1/20-2/18/1910, 1/21-2/19/1910: 37.9″
2. 1/19-2/17/1910: 37.6″
3. 1/22-2/20/1910: 35.3″
4. 1/2-1/31/1978, 1/3-2/1/1978, 1/4-2/2/1978, 1/5-2/3/1978: 34.0″
5. 1/8-2/6/1978: 33.8″
6. 1/1-1/30/1978, 1/7-2/5/1978: 33.6″
7. 12/30/1977-1/28/1978, 12/31/1977-1/29/1978: 33.4″
8. 12/29/1977-1/27/1978: 32.8″
9. 12/28/1977-1/26/1978: 32.5″
10. 1/6-2/4/1978: 32.0″
11. 2/8-3/8/2008: 31.8″
12. 1/24-2/22/1910, 1/25-2/23/1910, 1/26-2/24/1910, 1/27-2/25/1910, 1/28-2/26/1910, 1/29-2/27/1910, 1/30-2/28/1910, 1/26-2/24/2003: 30.7″

Certain years show up on all the lists, including 1906, 1910, 1978, 2003, 2008 and 2010. These winters all had periods of extreme snowfall and are considered “historic”.
Check out more winter and other local weather data with the following links.
Winter Storms
Winter Season Records
Annual Weather Records
Wilmington National Weather Service



Winter 2017-2018 Review

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Winter 2017-2018 Review Columbus, Ohio

Wind and heavy snow on the evening of January 12, 2018.

The Winter 2017-2018 Review shows the season featured some wild swings, from a very cold late December-early January to one of the warmest Februaries of all time. Let’s take a closer look at this volatile season, specifically December to February.

Temperature and snowfall ranking data goes back to the winter of 1878-1879. Snow depth ranking data goes back to 1940.

December-February Only
Average High: 40.2 29th Warmest
Average Low: 24.2 42nd Warmest
Mean: 32.2 36th Warmest
Precipitation: 9.40″ 33rd Wettest
Snowfall: 24.6″ 32nd Snowiest
Average Daily Snow Depth: 0.7″ 8th Lowest
32 or Below Highs: 29 21st Most
32 or Below Lows: 70 18th Fewest
Measurable Precipitation Days: 40
Measurable Snowfall Days: 20
Deepest Snow Depth: 5″ on January 16th and 17th
Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 26 19th Most

Entire Cold Season: October-April
Average High: 49.6 29th Warmest
Average Low: 32.0 36th Coldest
Mean: 40.8 30th Warmest
Precipitation: 25.83″ 13th Wettest
Snowfall: 30.7″ 34th Snowiest
Average Snow Depth: 0.3″ 4th Lowest
32 or Below Highs: 29 19th Fewest
32 or Below Lows: 119 14th Most
Measurable Precipitation Days: 87 18th Most
Measurable Snowfall Days: 34 11th Most
Deepest Snow Depth: 5″ on January 16th and 17th
Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 31 20th Most

Average High By Month
October 2017: 68.5 21st Warmest
November 2017: 52.5 33rd Warmest
December 2017: 38.6 36th Coldest
January 2018: 35.4 39th Coldest
February 2018: 47.3 7th Warmest
March 2018: 47.5 36th Coldest
April 2018: 58.0 14th Coldest

Average Low By Month
October 2017: 48.8 15th Warmest
November 2017: 34.8 38th Warmest
December 2017: 23.7 33rd Coldest
January 2018: 19.3 39th Coldest
February 2018: 30.3 9th Warmest
March 2018: 29.6 33rd Coldest
April 2018: 37.5 9th Coldest

Mean By Month
October 2017: 58.6 16th Warmest
November 2017: 43.6 32nd Warmest
December 2017: 31.2 37th Coldest
January 2018: 27.3 39th Coldest
February 2018: 38.8 7th Warmest
March 2018: 38.5 36th Coldest
April 2018: 47.7 12th Coldest

Precipitation By Month
October 2017: 3.57″ 28th Wettest
November 2017: 4.67″ 15th Wettest
December 2017: 1.76″ 28th Driest
January 2018: 2.39″ 64th Wettest
February 2018: 5.25″ 8th Wettest
March 2018: 2.96″ 57th Driest
April 2018: 5.23″ 15th Wettest

Snowfall By Month
October 2017: Trace 2nd Least Snowy
November 2017: Trace 2nd Least Snowy
December 2017: 8.1″ 23rd Snowiest
January 2018: 10.5″ 38th Snowiest
February 2018: 6.0″ 45th Snowiest
March 2018: 3.2″ 48th Least Snowy
April 2018: 2.9″ 8th Snowiest

Average Snow Depth By Month
October 2017: 0″ 1st Lowest
November 2017: 0″ 1st Lowest
December 2017: 0.3″ 4th Lowest
January 2018: 1.4″ 15th Lowest
February 2018: 0.4″ 5th Lowest
March 2018: 0.1″ 2nd Lowest
April 2018: 0.1″ 2nd Lowest



Maximum High By Month
October 2017: 86 on the 4th
November 2017: 73 on the 5th
December 2017: 60 on the 4th
January 2018: 60 on the 11th and 22nd
February 2018: 77 on the 20th
March 2018: 61 on the 19th and 29th
April 2018: 82 on the 13th

Record Highs
-The 77 on February 20th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 68 set in 1891 and 2016.

Minimum High By Month
October 2017: 43 on the 28th
November 2017: 35 on the 10th
December 2017: 17 on the 27th
January 2018: 10 on the 2nd
February 2018: 22 on the 2nd
March 2018: 33 on the 8th
April 2018: 37 on the 17th

Minimum High Records
-The 10 on January 2nd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 11 set in 1928.
-The 37 on April 17th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 39 set in 1907.

Maximum Low By Month
October 2017: 66 on the 7th
November 2017: 60 on the 5th
December 2017: 47 on the 22nd
January 2018: 52 on the 11th
February 2018: 60 on the 20th
March 2018: 51 on the 28th
April 2018: 63 on the 13th

Record Maximum Lows
-The 47 on December 22nd tied the record set in 2015, and ties for the warmest December low on record.
-The 55 on February 15th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 53 set in 1954.
-The 60 on February 20th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 49 set in 1930.
-The 63 on April 13th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 61 set in 1916.

Minimum Low By Month
October 2017: 31 on the 26th
November 2017: 21 on the 11th
December 2017: 2 on the 31st
January 2018: -4 on the 2nd
February 2018: 10 on the 5th
March 2018: 20 on the 10th
April 2018: 25 on the 8th

Highest Daily Precipitation By Month
October 2017: 1.14″ on the 8th
November 2017: 1.72″ on the 5th
December 2017: 0.72″ on the 23rd
January 2018: 0.66″ on the 12th
February 2018: 1.23″ on the 24th
March 2018: 0.83″ on the 1st
April 2018: 2.06″ on the 15th

Precipitation Records
-The 1.14″ on the October 8th was the record for the date, beating the old record of 0.92″ set in 1959.
-The 1.72″ on November 5th was the record for the date, beating the old record of 0.88″ set in 1988.
-The 1.95″ on April 3rd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 1.50″ set in 2000.
-The 2.06″ on April 15th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 1.46″ set in 1939.

Highest Daily Snowfall By Month
October 2017: Trace on the 28th
November 2017: Trace on the 22nd
December 2017: 2.1″ on the 30th
January 2018: 3.5″ on the 12th
February 2018: 4.4″ on the 7th
March 2018: 0.9″ on the 21st
April 2018: 0.9″ on the 1st

Snowfall Records
-The 4.4″ on February 7th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 3.6″ set in 1895.
-The 0.9″ on March 21st was a record for the date, beating the old record of 0.8″ set in 1984.

Deepest Snow Depth By Month
October 2017: 0″
November 2017: 0″
December 2017: 3″ on the 30th and 31st
January 2018: 5″ on the 16th and 17th
February 2018: 4″ on the 7th
March 2018: 1″ on the 8th, 14th and 21st
April 2018: 1″ on the 2nd and 7th

So overall, the winter was definitely warmer than normal, but not record-breaking, even with the extremely warm February. It was also wetter and snowier than normal as well.

To see other winter records and local weather information, check out the following links.
Winter Season Records
Wilmington National Weather Service

Other Winter Reviews
Winter 2016-2017
Winter 2015-2016
Winter 2014-2015



The Great Thanksgiving Blizzard of 1950

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The Great Thanksgiving Blizzard of 1950

Springfield, Ohio after the storm.

Exactly 67 years ago today, the Great Thanksgiving Blizzard of 1950 began. It was the biggest snowstorm for Columbus, and indeed most of Ohio, during the 40-year period of 1920-1960. That period, especially from the mid-1920s through the mid-1950s, had the lowest rates of cold and snowy winters of any comparable period. The average seasonal snowfall during that period was just 19.1″, a full 9″ below the average the 1980s-2010s have had to date. Still, the period was not without its memorable winters, including 1935-36, 1939-40 and 1947-48. None of those winters, however, had a snow event nearly as big as November 1950.

October 1950 had generally been very warm, ranking historically as the 19th warmest October in Columbus. Highs reached 65 or higher on 21 days of the month. This warmth lasted through early November, and the 80 degrees recorded on November 1st, 1950 remains tied for the warmest November temperature ever recorded. After that, the month seesawed up and down until a strong cold front and rainstorm on the 19th-20th dropped temperatures 25-30 degrees across the state, from the upper 50s-low 60s on the 20th to the low-mid 30s on the 21st. This front would be one of the catalysts for one of Ohio’s greatest winter weather events in its history.

Snow began in Columbus and other parts of Ohio on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 23rd as a low moved through the Great Lakes and weakened. Behind that system, another cold high pressure was diving south out of Canada.

Thursday, November 23rd 1950 National Map

On Friday the 24th, a low formed on the stalled cold front that had moved through Ohio a few days earlier. Initially forming in southeastern North Carolina, this low would’ve normally gone out to see or moved up the East Coast as a Nor’easter. Instead, the strong, cold high pressure was moving into the Ohio Valley at the same time, and the little low exploded and as it began to move north. The strong push of cold was very evident in Ohio, as temperatures plunged from the upper-30s to upper 40s on Thanksgiving afternoon to single digits and low teens by early Friday morning.

Friday, November 24th, 1950 National Map

The low moved into southern Pennsylvania by the morning of the 25th, and then began to do something few other storms ever do- it began to retrograde toward the west and Ohio, continuing to strengthen as it went. The unusual west movement was caused by a blocking high pressure system parked over Maine.

Saturday, November 25th, 1950 National Map

Light snow that had been ongoing in Ohio on the 24th quickly intensified from east to west across the state as the low moved westward from Central Pennsylvania to Northern Ohio by the end of the day on the 25th. With it arrived winds of 40-60 miles per hour, causing blinding white-outs and drifting.
Saturday the 25th was the height of the storm as the low pressure bottomed out at 978mb, a pressure normally associated with hurricanes. This day was, coincidentally, the famed Ohio State-Michigan rivalry football game, now famously known as the “Snow Bowl” for its terrible weather conditions.

With temperatures on Saturday morning in the single digits, wind chills well below zero and with heavy snow, there was debate about cancelling the game altogether, which was the Big Ten Championship. Ironically, despite the fact that Ohio State would’ve gone on to the Rose Bowl had the game been cancelled (Michigan did not want to reschedule), it was Ohio State’s athletic director who ultimately refused to cancel the game, much to the rest of the staff’s disappointment. Perhaps after the fact, considering Ohio State lost 9-3, that decision was regretted, especially in front of the more than 50,000 die-hard fans that managed to show up for the game.

Columbus would receive 7.5″ at the airport, with eastern suburbs getting up to 10″, just on that Saturday alone.

Due to the blocking high pressure, the storm didn’t budge for days, and it continued through the 26th and 27th before slowly dying out. The last accumulating snowflakes from this system fell on the 29th, 6 days after the snow began.

Sunday, November 26th, 1950 National Map

Monday, November 27th, 1950 National Map

Tuesday, November 28th, 1950 National Map

Wednesday, November 29th, 1950 National Map

All in all, the storm was a record-breaker. Snow totals reached 10″ or more across most of the state except the far northwest and far southwest. In Central Ohio, snow had piled up between 10″-20″, with Columbus officially reporting 15.2″ for the duration of the event. This was the second-heaviest snowstorm in Columbus on record to that time, falling just shy of the 15.3″ that occurred February 17-18, 1910. Both of these storms would be surpassed by the February 14-17, 2003 snowstorm of 15.5″, which itself was surpassed by March 7-8th, 2008’s 20.5″.

Other totals in the state included up to 22″ in Cleveland, 27″ in Marietta, and reports of 44″ in Steubenville in far eastern Ohio. Totals of 25″-30″ were common throughout the eastern 1/3rd of the state. These totals are some of the highest the state has ever seen, coming close to those seen in the eastern Ohio snowstorm of April 1901.

In addition to the snow, record cold temperatures in Columbus of 5 degrees on the 25th (along with a record low maximum of 20) made this one of the greatest early winter events of all time.

Cleveland after the storm.

For more November weather records, go here: November Weather

Winter 2016-2017 Review

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Winter 2016-2017 Review Columbus, Ohio

What most of Winter 2016-2017 looked like in Ohio.

The Winter 2016-2017 Review supports that the season was one of the warmest, least snowy winters on record. Depending on your viewpoint, that was either a really good or really bad thing.

Temperature and snowfall ranking data goes back to the winter of 1878-1879. Snow depth ranking data goes back to 1940.

December-February Only
Average High: 44.4 7th Warmest
Average Low: 29.5 6th Warmest
Mean: 37.0 6th Warmest
Precipitation: 8.55″ 49th Wettest
Snowfall: 7.6″ 13th Least Snowy
Average Daily Snow Depth: 0.1″ 2nd Lowest
32 or Below Highs: 17 11th Fewest
32 or Below Lows: 54 5th Fewest
Measurable Precipitation Days: 43 10th Most
Measurable Snowfall Days: 10 6th Fewest
Deepest Snow Depth: 3″ on December 14th
Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 7 5th Fewest

Entire Cold Season: October-April
Average High: 54.8 1st Warmest
Average Low: 36.7 5th Warmest
Mean: 45.8 1st Warmest
Precipitation: 19.28″ 67th Driest
Snowfall: 9.3″ 8th Least Snowy
Average Snow Depth: 0.1″ 2nd Lowest
32 or Below Highs: 18 8th Fewest
32 or Below Lows: 80 5th Fewest
Measurable Precipitation Days: 86 19th Most
Measurable Snowfall Days: 15 6th Fewest
Deepest Snow Depth: 3″ on December 14th
Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 8 5th Fewest

Average High By Month
October 2016: 69.3 17th Warmest
November 2016: 57.7 7th Warmest
December 2016: 38.7 38th Coldest
January 2017: 43.5 14th Warmest
February 2017: 51.8 1st Warmest
March 2017: 52.1 36th Warmest
April 2017: 71.1 1st Warmest

Average Low By Month
October 2016: 49.1 14th Warmest
November 2016: 36.3 26th Warmest
December 2016: 26.2 50th Coldest
January 2017: 30.1 8th Warmest
February 2017: 32.6 4th Warmest
March 2017: 34.1 32nd Warmest
April 2017: 48.3 1st Warmest

Mean By Month
October 2016: 59.2 12th Warmest
November 2016: 47.0 13th Warmest
December 2016: 32.4 44th Coldest
January 2017: 36.8 12th Warmest
February 2017: 42.2 1st Warmest
March 2017: 43.1 35th Warmest
April 2017: 59.7 1st Warmest

Precipitation By Month
October 2016: 1.73″ 45th Driest
November 2016: 1.02″ 13th Driest
December 2016: 3.09″ 49th Wettest
January 2017: 2.83″ 53rd Wettest
February 2017: 2.63″ 51st Wettest
March 2017: 5.39″ 15th Wettest
April 2017: 2.59″ 44th Driest

Snowfall By Month
October 2016: 0.0″ Least Snowy
November 2016: Trace 2nd Least Snowy
December 2016: 5.4″ 40th Snowiest
January 2017: 1.6″ 13th Least Snowy
February 2017: 0.6″ 4th Least Snowy
March 2017: 1.7″ 27th Least Snowy
April 2017: Trace 2nd Least Snowy

Average Snow Depth By Month
October 2016: 0″
November 2016: 0″
December 2016: 0.3″
January 2017: Trace
February 2017: 0.1″
March 2017: Trace
April 2017: 0″



Maximum High By Month
October 2016: 83 on the 18th
November 2016: 80 on the 1st
December 2016: 69 on the 26th
January 2017: 67 on the 12th
February 2017: 78 on the 24th
March 2017: 77 on the 30th
April 2017: 85 on the 26th and 30th

Record Highs
-The 83 on October 18th tied the record for the date set in 1938.
-The 80 on November 1st tied the record for the date set in 1950. This is also a tie for the warmest temperature ever recorded in November.
-The 79 on November 2nd tied the record for the date set in 1897.
-The 75 on November 18th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 73 set in 1954.
-The 69 on November 26th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 62 set in 1889 and 1982.
-The 67 on January 12th tied the record for the date set in 1916.
-The 64 on January 17th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 62 set in 1952.
-The 66 on February 18th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 63 set in 2011.
-The 72 on February 23rd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 66 set in 1905 and 1986.
-The 78 on February 24th was a record for the date in 3 ways: 1. It beat the old daily record of 72 set in 1961. 2. It beat the record for the warmest February temperature ever of 75 set on 2/26/2000. 3. It broke the record for the warmest temperature for meteorological winter (Dec-Feb) of all-time, beating the old record of 76 set on 12/3/1982.

Minimum High By Month
October 2016: 52 on the 22nd
November 2016: 35 on the 20th
December 2016: 14 on the 15th
January 2017: 16 on the 6th and 7th
February 2017: 25 on the 3rd
March 2017: 29 on the 14th
April 2017: 49 on the 1st

Maximum Low By Month
October 2016: 69 on the 18th
November 2016: 56 on the 2nd
December 2016: 48 on the 26th
January 2017: 47 on the 17th
February 2017: 59 on the 24th
March 2017: 58 on the 25th
April 2017: 63 on the 16th and 19th

Record Maximum Lows
-The 69 on October 18th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 65 set in 2007.
-The 54 on February 22nd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 51 set in 1930.
-The 52 on February 23rd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 51 set in 1930.
-The 59 on February 24th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 50 set in 2000.
-The 58 on March 25th tied the record for the date set in 1949.

Minimum Low By Month
October 2016: 35 on the 25th
November 2016: 21 on the 22nd
December 2016: 4 on the 15th and 16th
January 2017: 6 on the 7th
February 2017: 9 on the 4th
March 2017: 15 on the 15th
April 2017: 32 on the 8th

Highest Daily Precipitation By Month
October 2016: 0.74″ on the 19th
November 2016: 0.36″ on the 28th
December 2016: 1.07″ on the 17th
January 2017: 0.80″ on the 3rd
February 2017: 0.76″ on the 7th
March 2017: 1.53″ on the 26th
April 2017: 0.80″ on the 9th

Highest Daily Snowfall By Month
October 2016: 0.0″
November 2016: Trace on the 19th and 20th
December 2016: 3.2″ on the 13th
January 2017: 0.9″ on the 5th
February 2017: 0.6″ on the 8th
March 2017: 0.6″ on the 13th
April 2017: Tract on the 6th and 7th

Deepest Snow Depth By Month
October 2016: 0″
November 2016: 0″
December 2016: 3″ on the 14th
January 2017: 1″ on the 6th
February 2017: 1″ on the 9th and 10th
March 2017: 1″ on the 14th
April 2017: 0″

For more winter season records and local weather information, visit the following links.
Winter Season Records
Wilmington National Weather Service

Other Winter Reviews
Winter 2015-2016
Winter 2014-2015