I have been doing immediate, post-winter reviews since I began this website 13 years ago. While those posts are popular, I get tons of requests and searches for winters of decades past, so I thought it might be a good idea to periodically take a look back at some of them. By far, the winter of 1995-1996 has been at the top of the list from site visitors, so it makes sense to make it the inaugural winter of this series. Winter 1995-1996 was the most severe of the 1990s, and arguably the most severe winter between 1984-1985 and 2002-2003. The winter featured much above normal snowfall and below normal temperatures that included one arctic outbreak. This winter set multiple records that still stand today, and is regarded as one of the worst winters in Columbus- and Ohio- history.
December-February These are the statistics for the heart of Winter 1995-1996, as well as departures from average based on the current 1991-2020 normals. Average High: 36.9 (-2.9) Average Low: 21.1 (-3.4) Mean: 29.0 (-3.2) Coldest High: 6 on February 3rd Coldest Low: -3 on February 4th Coldest Mean: 3 on February 3rd and 4th # of 32 or Below Highs: 41 # of 32 or Below Lows: 73 Warmest High: 71 on February 27th Warmest Low: 57 on January 4th Warmest Mean: 64 on February 21st Precipitation: 7.84″ (+0.70″) Snowfall: 40.6″ (+18.4″) Average Daily Snow Depth: 1.8″ Maximum Snow Depth: 12″ on January 8th Largest Snowstorm: 9.8″ on January 6th-7th 1″+ Snowfall Events: 14 # of Measurable Precipitation Days: 45 # of Measurable Snowfall Days: 35 Highest Average Daily Wind Speed in MPH: 20 on January 27th Highest Wind Gust in MPH: 51 on February 24th
Entire Cold Season: October-April Average High: 47.1 Average Low: 29.1 Mean: 38.1 Precipitation: 24.14″ Snowfall: 54.1″ Average Snow Depth: 0.8″ Largest Snowstorm: 9.8″ on January 6th-7th # of 32 or Below Highs: 46 # of 32 or Below Lows: 127 # of Measurable Precipitation Days: 92 # of Measurable Snowfall Days: 49 Highest Average Daily Wind Speed in MPH: 21.6 on March 25th Highest Wind Gust in MPH: 58 on April 29th
Temperature
High Temperature Records Set On December 14th, the high reached 65 degrees, tying the record for the date set in 1901. On January 18th, the high reached 68 degrees, breaking the old record of 67 set in 1929. On February 3, the high only reached 6 degrees, breaking the old low maximum of 12 set in 1902. On February 27th, the high reached 71 degrees, tying the old record of 71 set in 1896.
Low Temperature Records Set On November 9th, the low fell to 17 degrees, breaking the old record of 18 set in 1991.
Precipitation
Precipitation Records Set On January 27th, 1.00″ of precipitation fell, breaking the old record of 0.97″ set in 1913. On November 11th, 1.03″ of precipitation fell, breaking the old record of 0.84″ set in 1974. This record was later surpassed for the date when 1.14″ fell in 2022. On December 19th, 0.68″ of precipitation fell, breaking the old record of 0.59″ set in 1982. This record was later surpassed for the date with 08.4″ in 2002 and later with 1.74″ in 2008. On April 29th, 1.82″ of precipitation fell, breaking the old record of 1.37″ set in 1893. This record was later surpassed for the date when 1.88″ fell in 2021.
Snowfall
Snowfall Records Set On November 21st, 1.9″ of snow fell, breaking the old record of 1.0″ set in 1911. On December 19th, 4.3″ of snow fell, breaking the old record of 3.2″ set in 1948. On January 7th, 8.8″ of snow fell, breaking the old record of 5.5″ set in 1979. This occurred during the Blizzard of 1996 On January 9th, 3.1″ of snow fell, breaking the old record of 2.7″ set in 1943. On March 7th, 2.3″ of snow fell, tying the old record set in 1911. This record was later surpassed when 5.0″ fell in 2008. On March 20th, 3.9″ of snow fell, breaking the old record of 3.0″ set in 1967.
Other
If you are interested in seeing original weather advisories for the entire 1995-1996 winter, the Winter 1995-1996 Weather Advisories provides them.
The Winter 2023-2024 review is finally here, and it shows that yet another cold season never really showed up. 2023-2024 was a top 5 warmest winter on record. Outside of a short break in January, warmth persisted for almost the entire winter, likely courtesy of the strong El Niño. This contributed to well below normal snowfall. The below stats represent both the traditional winter season of December-February, and also the overall cold season of October-April. Rankings are accurate as to the time of the posting.
December-February Traditional winter numbers, 1991-2020 departures from normal where relevant, and overall winter rankings. Average High: 45.7 (+5.9) 5th Warmest Average Low: 30.2 (+5.7) 6th Warmest Mean: 37.9 (+5.7) 5th Warmest Coldest High: 16 on January 15th and 16th Coldest Low: 6 on January 15th and 20th Coldest Mean: 11 on January 15th # of 32 or Below Highs: 9 (-16.8) Tied for 4th Fewest # of 32 or Below Lows: 53 (-15.8) 5th Fewest Warmest High: 67 on February 26th and 27th Warmest Low: 56 on February 27th Warmest Mean: 62 on February 27th Precipitation: 9.29″ (+0.75″) 38th Wettest Snowfall: 12.4″ (-9.8″) 37th Least Snowiest Average Daily Snow Depth: 0.2″ (-0.6″) Tied for 3rd Lowest Maximum Snow Depth: 4″ on February 17th Largest Snowstorm: 4.4″ on February 16th 1″+ Snowfall Events: 3 Tied for 4th Fewest # of Measurable Precipitation Days: 37 (-2.1) Tied for 13th Fewest # of Measurable Snowfall Days: 13 (-8.4) Tied for 9th Fewest Highest Average Daily Wind Speed in MPH: 20.8 on January 13th Highest Wind Gust in MPH: 53 on February 28th # of Clear Days: 12 13.19% # of Partly Cloudy Days: 23 25.27% # of Cloudy Days: 56 61.54%
Entire Cold Season: October-April Average High: 54.7 2nd Warmest Average Low: 36.6 6th Warmest Mean: 45.6 3rd Warmest Precipitation: 22.82″ 32nd Wettest Snowfall: 12.6″ 22nd Least Snowiest Average Snow Depth: 0.1″ Tied for 2nd Lowest Largest Snowstorm: 4.4″ on February 16th # of 32 or Below Highs: 10 Tied for 1st Fewest # of 32 or Below Lows: 84 7th Fewest # of Measurable Precipitation Days: 76 Tied for 11th Fewest # of Measurable Snowfall Days: 14 Tied for 5th Fewest Highest Average Daily Wind Speed in MPH: 20.8 on January 13th Highest Wind Gust in MPH: 53 on February 28th # of Clear Days: 30 14.1% # of Partly Cloudy Days: 62 29.1% # of Cloudy Days: 121 56.8%
Average High By Month October 2023: 67.0 Tied for 34th Warmest November 2023: 54.8 Tied for 18th Warmest December 2023: 48.4 5th Warmest January 2024: 37.4 Tied for 50th Warmest February 2024: 51.8 Tied for 2nd Warmest March 2024: 56.6 12th Warmest April 2024: 66.9 Tied for 12th Warmest
High Temperature Records Set 2/28/2024- A record high of 67 was set, breaking the old record of 65 set in 1939.
Average Low By Month October 2023: 48.2 Tied for 21st Warmest November 2023: 33.7 Tied for 33rd Coldest December 2023: 35.3 2nd Warmest January 2024: 25.9 27th Warmest February 2024: 29.2 16th Warmest March 2024: 36.4 Tied for 19th Warmest April 2024: 47.0 3rd Warmest
Low Temperature Records Set 10/28/2023- A record warm minimum of 62 was set, breaking the old record of 61 set in 1918. 2/10/2024- A record warm minimum of 49 was set, breaking the old record of 47 set in 1938. 2/27/2024- A record warm minimum of 56 was set, breaking the old record of 48 set in 1996.
Mean By Month October 2023: 57.6 22nd Warmest November 2023: 44.2 Tied for 26th Warmest December 2023: 41.8 Tied for 4th Warmest January 2024: 31.7 Tied for 43rd Warmest February 2024: 40.5 5th Warmest March 2024: 46.5 Tied for 14th Warmest April 2024: 57.0 6th Warmest
Precipitation By Month October 2023: 3.11″ Tied for 34th Wettest November 2023: 1.89″ 40th Driest December 2023: 3.25″ Tied for 44th Wettest January 2024: 4.81″ 16th Wettest February 2024: 1.23″ 20th Driest March 2024: 2.66″ 49th Driest April 2024: 5.87″ 8th Wettest
Precipitation Records Set 1/9/2024- A record of 1.44″ was set, breaking the old record of 0.86″ set in 1898. 2/2/2024- A record of 2.05″ was set, breaking the old record of 1.51″ set in 1977.
Snowfall By Month October 2023: Trace Tied for 2nd Least Snowiest November 2023: Trace Tied for 2nd Least Snowiest December 2023: 0.4″ Tied for 6th Least Snowiest January 2024: 5.0″ Tied for 37th Least Snowiest February 2024: 7.0″ Tied for 40th Snowiest March 2024: 0.2″ Tied for 3rd Least Snowiest April 2024: Trace Tied for 2nd Least Snowiest
2023-2024 was the 9th consecutive season that had no snowfall events above 5″. This is the 2nd longest such period on record, surpassed only by the 14-year stretch of 1919-1933.
Average Snow Depth By Month October 2023: 0.0″ November 2023: Trace December 2023: Trace January 2024: 0.2″ February 2024: 0.4″ March 2024: 0.0″ April 2024: 0.0″
Maximum High By Month October 2023: 87 on the 2nd and 3rd November 2023: 73 on the 8th December 2023: 62 on the 25th January 2024: 61 on the 26th February 2024: 67 on the 26th and 27th March 2024: 75 on the 4th April 2024: 84 on the 16th and 29th
Minimum High By Month October 2023: 47 on the 31st November 2023: 30 on the 28th December 2023: 34 on the 19th January 2024: 16 on the 15th and 16th February 2024: 27 on the 17th March 2024: 36 on the 18th April 2024: 45 on the 5th
Maximum Low By Month October 2023: 63 on the 5th November 2023: 46 on the 7th December 2023: 51 on the 26th January 2024: 48 on the 25th February 2024: 56 on the 27th March 2024: 51 on the 5th April 2024: 64 on the 27th and 28th
Minimum Low By Month October 2023: 29 on the 31st November 2023: 17 on the 29th December 2023: 22 on the 14th January 2024: 6 on the 15th and 20th February 2024: 13 on the 18th March 2024: 23 on the 21st and 24th April 2024: 31 on the 7th
Highest Daily Precipitation by Month October 2023: 0.72″ on the 19th November 2023: 0.93″ on the 21st December 2023: 0.6″ on the 17th January 2024: 1.44″ on the 9th February 2024: 0.72″ on the 22nd March 2024: 0.44″ on the 26th April 2024: 2.05″ on the 2nd
Highest Daily Snowfall By Month October 2023: Trace on the 31st November 2023: Trace on the 27th December 2023: 0.3″ on the 18th January 2024: 2.2″ on the 19th February 2024: 4.4″ on the 16th March 2024: 0.2″ on the 10th April 2024: Trace on the 4th and 17th
Deepest Snow Depth By Month October 2023: 0.0″ on all days. November 2023: 0.0″ on all days. December 2023: Trace on the 19th January 2024: 2″ on the 20th February 2024: 4″ on the 17th March 2024: 0.0″ on all days. April 2024: 0.0″ on all days.
Average Daily Wind Speed by Month in MPH October 2023: 7.0 November 2023: 7.2 December 2023: 7.3 January 2024: 9.2 February 2024: 8.0 March 2024: 9.3 April 2024: 9.4
Highest Wind Gust by Month in MPH October 2023: 34 on the 6th November 2023: 35 on the 27th December 2023: 43 on the 18th January 2024: 44 on the 13th February 2024: 53 on the 28th March 2024: 47 on the 14th April 2024: 43 on the 12th and 17th
Clear Days by Month October 2023: 5 16.13% November 2023: 10 33.33% December 2023: 4 12.9% January 2024: 0 0.0% February 2024: 7 24.14% March 2024: 3 9.68% April 2024: 3 10.0%
Partly Cloudy Days by Month October 2023: 11 35.48% November 2023: 13 43.33% December 2023: 7 22.58% January 2024: 8 25.81% February 2024: 17 58.62% March 2024: 18 58.06% April 2024: 15 50.0%
Cloudy Days by Month October 2023: 15 48.39% November 2023: 7 23.33% December 2023: 20 64.52% January 2024: 23 74.19% February 2024: 5 17.24% March 2024: 10 32.26% April 2024: 12 40.0%
The overall cold period saw relatively fewer cloudy days than normal. December and January were cloudier than normal, but November, February and March were less so than normal.
Other Notable Winter 2023-2024 Events
The Columbus Tornado History page gives greater detail on the February 28th, March 14th and April 2nd tornadic events.
Time for the Winter 2021-2022 review! Overall, this past winter was much warmer than normal, but almost entirely because of a scorching December. This brought only about 50% of normal snowfall for the season despite being one of the wettest winters on record. This review includes new data not given for past winter reviews- wind and cloud information.
December-February Only Average High: 41.7 Tied for 19th Warmest Average Low: 24.7 Tied for 38th Warmest Mean: 33.2 Tied for 27th Warmest Precipitation: 13.24″ 6th Wettest Snowfall: 11.6″ Tied for 32nd Least Snowy Average Daily Snow Depth: 0.4″ Tied for 5th Lowest Largest Snowstorm: 4.5″ on 2/3-2/4. # of 32 or Below Highs: 26 Tied for 20th Fewest # of 32 or Below Lows: 69 Tied for 17th Fewest # of Measurable Precipitation Days: 33 Tied for 9th Fewest # of Measurable Snowfall Days: 12 Tied for 8th Fewest Highest Average Daily Wind Speed in MPH: 18.6 on January 5th Highest Wind Gust in MPH: 54 on December 11th # of Clear Days: 11 12.2% # of Partly Cloudy Days: 43 47.8% # of Cloudy Days: 36 40.0%
The core of the winter was warm and wet, but with relatively few precipitation days that just brought higher individual totals. Snowfall was way below normal for the period, with no snow events at or above 6″ for the 6th winter in a row. The last time a snow event dropped at least 6″ was on February 21, 2015. 6″ events, historically, have occurred about every 2 years, so in the last 7 years, Columbus should’ve had at least three.
Entire Cold Season: October-April Average High: 52.1 Tied for 8th Warmest Average Low: 33.7 Tied for 21st Warmest Mean: 42.9 Tied for 12th Warmest Precipitation: 24.32″ Tied for 20th Wettest Snowfall: 14.5″ 27th Lowest Average Snow Depth: 0.2″ Tied for 3rd Lowest Largest Snowstorm: 4.5″ on 2/3-2/4 # of 32 or Below Highs: 27 Tied for 17th Fewest # of 32 or Below Lows: 100 Tied for 19th Fewest # of Measurable Precipitation Days: 82 Tied for 17th Fewest # of Measurable Snowfall Days: 17 Tied for 8th Fewest Highest Average Daily Wind Speed in MPH: 18.6 on January 5th Highest Wind Gust in MPH: 54 on December 11th # of Clear Days: 23 10.8% # of Partly Cloudy Days: 105 49.6% # of Cloudy Days: 84 39.6%
The overall cold season was very warm and wet just as the core winter was, with a very warm October and December.
Average High By Month October 2021: 70.6 Tied for 10th Warmest November 2021: 50.9 Tied for 47th Coldest December 2021: 50.5 3rd Warmest January 2022: 33.5 Tied for 30th Coldest February 2022: 41.2 Tied for 35th Warmest March 2022: 56.8 Tied for 11th Warmest April 2022: 60.1 Tied for 36th Coldest
Average Low By Month October 2021: 53.9 1st Warmest November 2021: 32.7 Tied for 25th Coldest December 2021: 33.1 9th Warmest January 2022: 17.2 28th Coldest February 2022: 23.7 55th Coldest March 2022: 33.8 35th Warmest April 2022: 40.9 Tied for 32nd Coldest
Mean By Month October 2021: 62.2 Tied for 3rd Warmest November 2021: 41.8 Tied for 33rd Coldest December 2021: 41.8 4th Warmest January 2022: 25.3 29th Coldest February 2022: 32.5 46th Warmest March 2022: 45.3 Tied for 20th Warmest April 2022: 50.5 Tied for 34th Coldest
Precipitation By Month October 2021: 3.57″ Tied for 28th Wettest November 2021: 1.90″ 40th Driest December 2021: 4.51″ 13th Wettest January 2022: 2.61″ 59th Wettest February 2022: 6.12″ Tied for 4th Wettest March 2022: 2.29″ 37th Driest April 2022: 3.32″ 58th Wettest
Snowfall By Month October 2021: 0.0″ Tied for 1st Least Snowy November 2021: 0.6″ Tied for 8th Least Snowy December 2021: 0.5″ Tied for 7th Least Snowy January 2022: 6.3″ Tied for 45th Least Snowy February 2022: 4.8″ Tied for 35th Least Snowy March 2022: 2.2″ Tied for 22nd Least Snowy April 2022: 0.1″ Tied for 3rd Least Snowy
Average Snow Depth By Month October 2021: 0.0″ November 2021: 0.0″ December 2021: Trace January 2022: 0.5″ February 2022: 0.7″ March 2022: 0.1″ April 2022: 0.0″
Maximum High By Month October 2021: 86 on the 14th November 2021: 69 on the 8th and 11th December 2021: 65 on the 11th and 27th January 2022: 59 on the 1st February 2022: 62 on the 21st March 2022: 80 on the 30th April 2022: 84 on the 23rd
Maximum High Records The 86 on October 14th tied the record for the date, last set in 1897.
Minimum High By Month October 2021: 51 on the 27th November 2021: 37 on the 14th December 2021: 27 on the 7th January 2022: 19 on the 29th February 2022: 21 on the 5th March 2022: 28 on the 12th April 2022: 41 on the 18th
Maximum Low By Month October 2021: 68 on the 7th November 2021: 48 on the 17th December 2021: 49 on the 25th January 2022: 41 on the 1st February 2022: 49 on the 22nd March 2022: 54 on the 6th April 2022: 62 on the 24th
Maximum Low Records -The 65 on October 14th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 62 set in 1879. -The 64 on October 15th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 62 set in 1897.
Minimum Low By Month October 2021: 38 on the 27th November 2021: 22 on the 23rd December 2021: 20 on the 7th and 23rd January 2022: 0 on the 26th February 2022: 11 on the 14th March 2022: 15 on the 13th April 2022: 25 on the 2nd
Highest Daily Precipitation By Month October 2021: 0.82″ on the 24th November 2021: 0.66″ on the 11th December 2021: 1.44″ on the 6th January 2022: 1.34″ on the 1st February 2022: 1.83″ on the 17th March 2022: 1.30″ on the 7th April 2022: 0.64″ on the 18th
Precipitation Records -The 1.44″ on December 6th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 1.10″ in 1971. -The 0.82″ on December 25th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 0.79″ in 2009. -The 1.34″ on January 1st was a record for the date, beating the old record of 1.28″ in 1948. -The 1.83″ on February 17th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 0.74″ in 1910. -The 1.40″ on February 22nd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 0.96″ in 1971.
Highest Daily Snowfall By Month October 2021: 0.0″ November 2021: 0.4″ on the 14th December 2021: 0.3″ on the 7th January 2022: 1.7″ on the 16th February 2022: 3.3″ on the 3rd March 2022: 2.1″ on the 11th April 2022: 0.1″ on the 1st
Deepest Snow Depth By Month October 2021: 0″ November 2021: Trace on the 26th and 27th December2021: Trace on the 8th January 2022: 2″ on the 17th, 18th and 25th February 2022: 4″ on the 5th and 6th March 2022: 2″ on the 12th April 2022: 0″
Average Daily Wind Speed by Month in MPH October 2021: 7.3 November 2021: 7.8 December 2021: 7.8 January 2022: 9.1 February 2022: 9.2 March: 2022: 10.0 April: 2022: 9.5
Highest Wind Gust by Month in MPH October 2021: 40 on the 17th November 2021: 40 on the 12th December 2021: 54 on the 11th January: 2022: 40 on the 5th February 2022: 41 on the 17th March 2022: 45 on the 7th April 2022: 42 on the 25th
Clear Days by Month October 2021: 3 9.6% November 2021: 5 16.7% December 2021: 4 12.9% January 2022: 3 9.6% February 2022: 4 14.3% March 2022: 2 6.5% April 2022: 2 6.7%
Partly Cloudy Days by Month October 2021: 14 45.2% November 2021: 15 50.0% December 2021: 13 41.9% January 2022: 16 51.7% February 2022: 14 50.0% March 2022: 18 58.0% April 2022: 15 50.0%
Cloudy Days by Month October 2021: 14 45.2% November 2021: 10 33.3% December 2021: 14 45.2% January 2022: 12 38.7% February 2022: 10 35.7% March 2022: 11 35.5% April 2022: 13 43.3%
The following file contains a full daily record of the December-February winter period. Winter 2021-2022 Dailies
