dailyloe.com – A freeze warning was issued for central Ohio on April 20, 2026, as temperatures dropped into the low 30s. The warning lasted until 10 a.m. that day, raising concerns about plant damage. A frost advisory was also issued for other parts of central Ohio from 11 p.m. April 20 through 10 a.m. April 21. This event highlights how winter conditions can linger well into spring.
The average last freeze in Columbus typically occurs around April 18. This date is when temperatures hit 32 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. However, that date can vary widely from year to year. Historically, the last freeze can happen anywhere from April 4 to May 5.
NWS meteorologist Ashley Novak provided details on the variability. Novak said the last freeze can happen anywhere from April 4 to May 5. Even after the final freeze, frost can still occur under specific conditions. Cold mornings are not necessarily over once temperatures stay above 32 degrees.
Frost can form with temperatures around 38 degrees under certain conditions. Novak said you can still see frost if skies are clear, winds are light and there’s enough moisture. This means the risk to sensitive vegetation extends beyond the official freeze date. The latest recorded instance of such conditions in Columbus was June 11, 1972.
While freezing temperatures usually end by early May, frost has been recorded much later. Novak confirmed the latest instance of temperatures at or below 38 degrees occurred on June 11, 1972. Late-season frost events are also expected to occur sometime in May this year. This week’s cold snap may be brief but is not the last taste of cooler weather.
Monday morning was expected to be the coldest point in the immediate forecast. Novak said temperatures were expected to rebound into a warmer pattern shortly after. However, that warmth will not be consistent throughout the remaining spring. Forecast outlooks show temperatures trending below normal at times over the next several weeks.
