Cold Weather Arrives for Buckeye Weekend

Central Ohio faces a chilly Friday night with possible freezing temperatures ahead of Saturday's Ohio State game.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Forecasts

Bare-branched trees line a wet, flat rural road at dusk, with frost on the grass and a faint distant streetlight under a grey sky. — Temperatures are expected to dip to near freezing in Columbus Friday night, ahead of Saturday's Ohio State football game, as AAA urges drivers to winterize their vehicles. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Have you prepared your car for winter driving conditions yet?

Rain eased overnight in Columbus, with a few showers lingering into Friday and temperatures in the upper 30s Friday morning. Highs are forecast in the low 40s Friday, with overnight temperatures possibly dropping to around freezing.

Why it matters

Cold, wet conditions heading into a weekend of outdoor events and Buckeye football may affect travel and attendance plans across Columbus. The possible first near-freezing night of the season in Central Ohio marks a seasonal shift residents should prepare for.

The forecast draws on local temperature projections for Columbus, with Friday morning in the upper 30s and Friday highs in the low 40s. Whether Friday night reaches freezing depends on conditions that remain forecast rather than observed.

The players

AAA Ohio

AAA Ohio is the state branch of the American Automobile Association, a motorist advocacy and roadside assistance organization that issues vehicle safety guidance.

Ohio State University

Ohio State University is a public research university in Columbus whose football program, the Buckeyes, is among the most prominent in college football.

The details

AAA Ohio advised drivers to prepare vehicles for winter conditions, recommending checks of tire tread depth, tire inflation, antifreeze levels, winter-grade windshield washer fluid, and windshield wipers. Outdoor events including the Grand Illumination in Easton are scheduled to proceed as planned through the weekend's cold conditions.

Friday morning: Commute begins cold with wet roads.
Friday at 5pm: The Grand Illumination in Easton starts.
Friday at around 7pm: The Easton tree lighting is scheduled.
Friday night: Temperatures could drop to around freezing.
Saturday at noon: Ohio State kicks off against Northwestern.

Seasonal Patterns

The possible first near-freezing night of the season in Central Ohio places this cold snap within the region's typical autumn transition from mild to winter-like temperatures. Comparing it to the first-freeze dates recorded in prior years would show whether this arrival is early, late, or on schedule.

Drivers heading out Friday should check tire tread, tire inflation, antifreeze levels, and windshield washer fluid before winter conditions arrive. Residents planning to attend the Easton Grand Illumination or Saturday's game should dress for temperatures falling toward freezing Friday night.

The takeaway

Cold weather preparation is most effective when started before the first freeze, since vehicle checks and warm clothing are simple steps that reduce weekend disruption. Staying aware of the Friday night forecast will help plans for outdoor events hold up.