Even though the calendar says fall, it certainly doesn't feel like it.
Columbus has broken a high temperature record for Oct. 13 that had stood for more than half a century, according to the National Weather Service's Wilmington office.
The weather service reported that Columbus reached a high of 87 degrees on Oct. 13, eclipsing the previous record of 85 degrees set on that date in 1969.
A weather service spokesperson said the unusual warmth was driven by a strong ridge of high pressure over the Ohio Valley. Combined with abundant sunshine and clear skies, the weather pattern created ideal conditions for temperatures to soar well above average for mid-October, the spokesperson said.
But just like mid-October, the weather is going to be all over
the place over the next several days, with warm weather continuing as rain moves in and an overnight low near freezing Saturday night after skies clear. While there is a chance for frost, it was not deemed likely enough to include in the forecast, the weather spokesperson said.
Columbus forecast for rest of week
Wednesday, Oct. 14 - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 82 degrees. Southwest wind around 9 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
At night, showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Low around 60 degrees. North wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday, Oct. 15 - Showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72 degrees. Northeast wind 7 to 11 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. At night, showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60 degrees. Southwest wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday, Oct. 16 - A chance of showers before 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 63 degrees. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 37 degrees. Breezy.
Saturday, Oct. 17 - Sunny, with a high near 54 degrees. At night, clear, with a low around 34 degrees.
Sunday, Oct. 18 - Sunny, with a high near 62 degrees. At night, partly cloudy with a low around 42 degrees.
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus reaches 87 degrees on Oct. 13, breaking heat record set in 1969
