Columbus · January
Run in the midday.
Cold: average high 37°F, low 22°F. Layering becomes the workout. Expect 15 rain days — plan around the radar. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
Avg high / low
37° / 22°F
Humidity
71%
Rain days
15/mo
Wind
12 mph
What January feels like in Columbus
Sunrise
08:49
Mid-month average
Sunset
18:32
Mid-month average
Time-of-day breakdown
Morning
Coolest, driest air of the day. The window before sunrise is the most reliable comfortable hour.
Midday
Often the warmest few hours of a cold day. If you can only run once, midday gives you the most temperate window.
Evening
Cold drops back in fast after sunset. Tight window — done before headlamp territory.
What to wear running in Columbus in January
The kit for January in Columbus: cold-weather layers, gloves, and ear coverage on most mornings, a water-resistant cap or jacket on standby.
January vs the surrounding months
vs December
-6° avg high
+1 rain days
Columbus in December →
January
37°F avg high
15 rain days
Best: midday
vs February
-4° avg high
+1 rain days
Columbus in February →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to run in Columbus in January?+
Midday. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
What's the average temperature in Columbus in January?+
Average high 37°F, average low 22°F.
How does January compare to surrounding months in Columbus?+
Compared to December (avg high 44°F), January is cooler. Compared to February (avg high 42°F), January is cooler.
Does it rain often in Columbus in January?+
Expect about 15 measurable rain days in January, on average.