Baby it's warm outside: Columbus December set temperature record, but snow expected soon

Bailey Gallion, Columbus Dispatch
·1 min read

If you felt December was unusually warm in Columbus, you were right.

Following predictions of an exceptionally mild winter, December 2023 had the highest minimum temperature on record, according to the National Weather Service.

The temperature last month never dipped below 22 degrees, breaking a previous minimum temperature record of 21 degrees in December 2015.

A Dec. 21, 2023, photo shows some of the more than two dozen Santa Claus inflatables being displayed by residents of North Stanwood Road in Bexley, dubbed "Santawood" for the holidays. The displays were still up as of Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 3, 2024.
A Dec. 21, 2023, photo shows some of the more than two dozen Santa Claus inflatables being displayed by residents of North Stanwood Road in Bexley, dubbed "Santawood" for the holidays. The displays were still up as of Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 3, 2024.

Last month was also a tie with December 2021 for the fourth-warmest December on record, with an average temperature of 41.8 degrees. The warmest December came in 2015, with an average temperature of 44.7.

The warmest day last month was Christmas Day, with a high of 62.

Meteorologists have predicted a mild, dry winter with below-average precipitation and high temperatures.

Columbus might see its first significant snowfall of the new year this weekend, though. A NWS forecast predicts snow will begin after 1 a.m. Saturday and is expected to continue into the day with an 80% chance then of precipitation.

However, the NWS forecast says Saturday’s expected high of 38 degrees could make it too warm for much snow accumulation.

Sunday is expected to bring a high of 39 and a 30% chance of rain, which combined would likely eliminate any remaining snow.

bagallion@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Warm December broke Columbus minimum temp records