In 2022, Columbus had 4 inches of snow on the ground for Christmas, but no snowfall occurred on Dec. 25. The most recent Christmas Day with measurable snowfall was in 2020, when a light 0.2 inches fell and temperatures remained in the upper teens.
As of mid-December, the region has experienced one of the colder starts to the month on record, with temperatures running nearly 10 degrees below normal. However, forecasts indicate a warming trend is expected, with seasonal to above-normal temperatures likely for much of the remainder of this week and next.
Columbus has already recorded just over 10 inches of snowfall this December. Meteorologists anticipate a shift in the weather pattern, bringing milder conditions through the upcoming week.
According to historical records, the average high temperature in Columbus on Dec. 25 is 37 degrees, with an average low of 24 degrees. Over the past 30 years, those averages have increased slightly to 39 degrees for the high and 25 degrees for the low.
Christmas Day weather records in Columbus include:
– A record high of 64 degrees in 1893. The most recent high in the 60s was 62 degrees in 2023.
– Seven Christmases with highs in the 60s.
– Twenty Christmases with highs of 50 degrees or higher.
– Forty-five Christmases where the high remained at or below 31 degrees.
– The coldest high was 1 degree, set in 1983.
– The coldest low was minus 12 degrees, also in 1983.
– The coldest average temperature was minus 6 degrees in 1983.
– The highest snowfall was 7 inches in 1890.
– Snow has fallen on Christmas Day 39 times.
– The wettest Christmas was in 2021, with 0.82 inches of precipitation.
Looking ahead to this year, forecasters say the persistent cold pattern is expected to weaken. While several inches of snow remain on the ground, warmer temperatures in the coming days will likely melt much of it. After a brief cooldown on Friday, temperatures are expected to return to seasonal or above-normal levels through the weekend and into Christmas week.
Long-range forecast data continues to support a warming trend through the Christmas holiday. Starting Tuesday, Dec. 19, models show temperatures staying above freezing through at least Dec. 26. While there is some uncertainty regarding the timing of potential weather systems next week, the majority of data supports a higher likelihood of above-normal temperatures for Christmas Day. The coldest forecast models show temperatures near normal, while the warmest suggest the possibility of a top 10 warmest Christmas.
The American long-range forecast model indicates a modest warm-up on Christmas Day, with highs in the mid-40s, followed by even warmer temperatures ahead of a cold front later in the week.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day and 8-14 day outlooks, which include the Christmas holiday period, are both trending warmer than average.
