Jan. 18, 2026, 3:10 p.m. ET
The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for Franklin County, including Columbus, and most of central Ohio, as temperatures and wind chills are expected to plunge on the national holiday.
The advisory goes into effect beginning at 7 a.m. Jan. 19, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and lasts through 9 a.m. Jan. 20.
The National Weather Service says wind chills could reach -12 degrees. Prolonged exposure to these cold temperatures could lead to hypothermia or other medical problems.
Because of the forecasted chill, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced it would be closed on Jan. 19.
COTA announced that it is also waiving all fares for both Jan. 19 and 20 on all buses, including COTA Mainstream and COTA/Plus. COTA buses are operating on a holiday schedule on Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Will it snow on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
The forecast for Jan. 19 does not call for significant snow.
It is expected to be cloudy early in the day, then partially sunny as the day progresses. The morning high is 23 degrees, and temperatures will drop throughout the day with expected winds of 15 to 25 mph.
The low temperature is 6 degrees.
How does wind chill work?
Wind chill is how cold humans and animals feel outdoors, even if the air temperature is slightly warmer. As wind increases, it draws more heat from the body and drives down the body and skin temperature, according to the National Weather Service.
It technically does not impact the air temperature. The wind chill is how cold it feels to people and animals, but a thermometer reading in high- and low-wind chill conditions would be the same.
Inanimate objects, like car radiators, will only cool down to the air temperature, the NWS says. For example, if the air temperature is above freezing but the wind chill is below freezing, a glass of water left outside will not freeze.
While the rest of the forecast calls for a moderate warmup, don’t expect them to get above freezing. Here’s what to expect during this shortened work week:
Extended forecast for Columbus, week beginning Jan. 19
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A 30% chance of snow, mainly before 11 a.m. Expect mostly cloudy skies, with a temperature falling to around 14 by 5 p.m. Wind chill values as low as -1 with west wind 11 to 17 mph and gusts as high as 32 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 6. Wind chill values as low as -3. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday, Jan. 20: Sunny, with a high near 22. West wind 6 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13.
- Wednesday, Jan. 21: A 40% chance of snow before 1 p.m., and a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39.
- Wednesday Night: A 30% chance of rain and snow before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22 degrees.
- Thursday, Jan. 22: Partly sunny, with a high near 27.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 12 degrees.
- Friday, Jan. 23: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29.
- Friday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday, Jan. 24: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 22. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.