Columbus, Ga., recorded its first nights in the 40s this fall, including a low of 43 degrees Tuesday, Oct. 20, after an unusually late start to the season's cooler weather. Now, 35 years of federal weather records show that Columbus typically experiences its first freezing temperature around Nov. 21, giving residents roughly a month before the historical midpoint of the first freeze.

The temperature at Columbus Airport dropped to 49 degrees just before midnight Monday, Oct. 19, marking the first time this fall it reached 50 degrees or colder. That was a week later than the historical median of Oct. 12. The temperature then fell to 43 degrees Tuesday morning and 44 degrees Wednesday, Oct. 21, according to National Weather Service reports.

The delayed arrival of cooler nights stands out in the historical record. Only five of the previous 35 falls had their first 50-degree night later than Oct. 19, making this year's transition to cooler weather among the latest in the period examined.

But the first nights in the 40s are only the beginning of the seasonal temperature change. NOAA records from Columbus Airport show that temperatures usually reach 40 degrees or colder by late October, freezing conditions arrive in November, and harder freezes typically begin in December.

When does Columbus usually get its first freeze?

The median date for the first freeze at Columbus Airport is Nov. 21, based on 35 cold seasons from 1991-92 through 2025-26. A freeze occurs when the temperature reaches 32 degrees or colder, and the historical record shows that the first such night can arrive considerably earlier or later than the median.

The earliest first freeze during the period came Oct. 29, 2008. The latest was Dec. 18, 1998, a difference of about seven weeks between the two extremes.

The first hard freeze, defined here as a temperature of 28 degrees or colder, typically arrives Dec. 8. The earliest occurred Nov. 5, 1991, while the latest first hard freeze occurred Feb. 19, 1993, during the 1992-93 cold season.

These dates represent historical middle points and extremes, not a forecast for the coming winter. The first freeze does not necessarily occur on Nov. 21, and the historical range demonstrates why residents should pay attention to forecasts before that date.

One finding is particularly consistent: Every one of the 35 cold seasons examined included at least 13 nights with temperatures at or below freezing at the airport. Even the mildest winters in the record experienced multiple freezing nights.

How unusual is this year's late arrival of cooler weather?

This fall's first temperature of 50 degrees or colder occurred Oct. 19, seven days after the historical median. Although the temperature reached 43 degrees the following morning, it has not yet reached 40 degrees or colder as of Oct. 21.

Historically, the first night at or below 40 degrees arrives around Oct. 30. The earliest such night was Oct. 8, 1991, while the latest was Nov. 14, 2015.

Recent years illustrate how much that first colder night can vary.

In 2024, Columbus reached 40 degrees or colder by Oct. 18. In 2021, that milestone did not arrive until Nov. 8, showing a difference of three weeks between those two recent falls.

The late arrival of the first 50-degree night this year does not establish when the first freeze will occur. It does, however, show that Columbus entered the latter part of October without experiencing the cooler nighttime readings that normally begin earlier in the month.

When did Columbus get its first freeze in recent winters?

The past 10 completed cold seasons provide another way to understand the range of possible first-freeze dates. The earliest in that group occurred Nov. 2, 2023, while the latest arrived Dec. 1, 2020.

Eight of these 10 seasons had their first freeze by Nov. 24. One came Nov. 30, and the 2020-21 season didn't freeze until Dec. 1.

The difference between Nov. 2, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2024, is especially useful for understanding year-to-year variation. Both dates occurred during the same calendar month, yet the first freeze happened four weeks apart.

For Columbus households, the historical record suggests treating November as the main period for the arrival of freezing temperatures while recognizing that late October freezes have occurred.

How many freezing nights does Columbus get each winter?

Columbus Airport averages 28 nights at or below 32 degrees per cold season, according to the 35 seasons examined. Of those, an average of 11.5 nights reach 28 degrees or colder.

Those averages do not mean that every winter contains approximately the same number of freezes. Some seasons recorded more than 40 freezing nights, while others had fewer than 16.

The four seasons with the most freezing nights were:

The three seasons with the fewest were:

The difference between the most and fewest freezing nights was 34. The 2009-10 season recorded more than three times as many freezing nights as the 2016-17 season.

A freeze-night count measures how many individual nights reached the specified temperature threshold. It does not indicate that the nights occurred consecutively or that the temperature remained below freezing throughout each day.

That distinction matters because a winter with numerous freezing nights does not necessarily mean every daytime temperature stayed cold. The records describe how often temperatures crossed the freezing threshold, not the duration of each freeze.

What are the coldest temperatures Columbus has recorded since 1991?

The lowest temperature in the 35-season record was 10 degrees on Feb. 5, 1996, at Columbus Airport. Several other nights fell into the low teens, including readings of 11 and 12 degrees.

February 1996 stands out with two of the coldest readings in the period on consecutive dates. January 2014 also stands out, with temperatures of 11 degrees on Jan. 7 and 12 degrees on Jan. 30.

These readings show that Columbus can experience temperatures far below the 32-degree freezing threshold. However, they represent the most extreme lows recorded during the period rather than conditions residents should expect during an average winter.

For perspective on the city's broader temperature range, the highest temperature recorded since 1991 was 106 degrees on June 30, 2012. That is a 96-degree difference between the highest and lowest readings identified in the period.

When does Columbus first have a day below 60 degrees?

Freezing nights are not the only sign of colder weather. Another milestone is the first day when the afternoon high temperature fails to reach 60 degrees.

At Columbus Airport, the median date for the first high below 60 degrees is Nov. 5. The earliest occurred Oct. 12, 1994, while the latest did not arrive until Dec. 3, 2016.

That range illustrates why a Columbus fall can include cooler mornings alongside relatively mild daytime temperatures. Nighttime lows and daytime highs cross their seasonal milestones on different schedules.

The normal November high temperature at the airport is 68.4 degrees, compared with a normal low of 46.1 degrees. By December, those normals fall to 60.6 degrees during the day and 40.6 degrees at night.

Residents should therefore distinguish between the arrival of chilly mornings, the first daytime high below 60 and the first actual freeze. Each marks a different stage of the transition from fall toward winter.

Can Columbus still reach 80 degrees in November or December?

Yes. Although November is normally the month of the first freeze, warm afternoons remain possible.

Columbus Airport averages 2.2 November days each year with highs of at least 80 degrees. December averages just 0.1 day at or above 80 degrees.

The difference is substantial. November still regularly produces an occasional day reaching 80 degrees, while those temperatures become uncommon in December.

That contrast also helps explain why a mild afternoon does not necessarily tell residents much about how cold another night may become. Historical records show that November can include both the first freezing temperature of the season and days with highs reaching 80 degrees.

By December, the average high is closer to 60 degrees, and the median first hard freeze has already arrived by Dec. 8.

What are normal temperatures in Columbus throughout the year?

The following table shows NOAA's official 1991-2020 monthly climate normals for Columbus Airport. These figures represent historical monthly averages for daily high temperatures, daily low temperatures and precipitation.

October normally has a high of 78.3 degrees and a low of 56.8 degrees. The normal November temperatures are nearly 10 degrees cooler during the day and more than 10 degrees cooler at night.

January is the coldest month by both normal high and normal low in the table, at 58.7 and 38.2 degrees, respectively. July is the warmest, with a normal high of 92.9 degrees and a normal low of 73.5 degrees.

The precipitation figures also provide context. October has the lowest normal monthly rainfall, at 2.78 inches, while March has the highest, at 4.92 inches.

These are long-term averages rather than the actual temperatures or rainfall totals for 2026. A monthly normal also should not be confused with an overnight extreme: January's normal low of 38.2 degrees does not mean freezing temperatures are unusual.

When does Columbus get its last spring freeze?

The median date for the final spring freeze is approximately March 6 at Columbus Airport. The latest spring freeze during the 35-season period occurred April 8, 2009.

In 2026, the last spring freeze was recorded March 18, nearly two weeks after the historical median.

That variation matters because the calendar's transition into spring does not guarantee the end of freezing weather. The April 2009 record demonstrates that freezing temperatures have occurred more than a month after the typical final-freeze date.

The same historical pattern applies in the fall: Median dates are useful reference points, but they do not establish firm boundaries beyond which freezes cannot happen.

Residents planning around outdoor plants or other temperature-sensitive items should consider both the typical dates and the historical extremes.

Why might your neighborhood be colder than Columbus Airport?

All the historical temperatures and dates in this analysis come from measurements at Columbus Airport on the north side of the city.

Temperatures elsewhere in Columbus can differ. Low-lying areas may be colder on clear, calm nights, while downtown locations can be somewhat milder.

That means a reported airport low of 33 degrees does not necessarily establish that every neighborhood remained above freezing. Likewise, an airport reading of 32 degrees does not mean every part of the city reached exactly the same temperature.

The airport measurements provide a consistent record for comparing one year with another. They should not be treated as exact readings for every yard, neighborhood or property in Columbus.

This distinction is particularly important around the freezing threshold, where a difference of only a few degrees can change whether a location experiences a freeze.

How should Columbus residents prepare for the first freeze?

The National Weather Service uses the "4 Ps" — people, pets, plants and pipes — as a common cold-weather safety reminder. With Columbus historically reaching its first freeze around Nov. 21, residents can use the coming weeks to review basic cold-weather preparations.

People: Pay attention to forecasts as temperatures begin approaching freezing, particularly when overnight cold follows a relatively mild day. The first freeze can happen earlier than the median date, so planning should not depend entirely on Nov. 21.

Pets: Make arrangements for pets during freezing nights and keep their exposure to cold conditions in mind. The historical record shows that Columbus can experience considerably colder temperatures after the first freeze.

Plants: Identify plants that need protection before freezing temperatures arrive. The median first-freeze date provides a planning reference, but the Oct. 29, 2008, first freeze shows that conditions can arrive earlier.

Pipes: Review cold-weather protection for exposed or vulnerable pipes before the first hard freeze. Columbus averages 11.5 nights per season at 28 degrees or colder, making hard-freeze preparations relevant beyond the first night at 32 degrees.

The National Weather Service issues Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories. Residents should follow those alerts and current forecasts rather than relying on historical averages to decide when protection is necessary.

What the records mean for this fall

Columbus entered the second half of October without its usual early-season low of 50 degrees or colder. The temperature finally reached 49 degrees Oct. 19, followed by the first readings in the 40s on Oct. 20 and 21.

The next historical milestones are the first temperature of 40 degrees or colder, typically around Oct. 30; the first daytime high below 60 degrees, around Nov. 5; and the first freeze, around Nov. 21.

Those dates provide a useful picture of how colder weather typically develops in Columbus. They do not establish that the coming winter will be unusually warm, unusually cold or similar to any particular previous season.

The strongest finding from the 35-year record is that freezing weather has been a consistent part of every winter measured at the airport, even when the first colder nights arrived late.

How we did this

Columbus Times analyzed daily maximum and minimum temperatures from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information for Columbus Airport, station USW00093842, covering 1991 through Oct. 18, 2026. First-freeze dates, seasonal freeze counts and historical extremes were calculated across 35 July-to-June cold seasons, from 1991-92 through 2025-26.

Monthly averages come from NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals. Temperatures for Oct. 19-21, 2026, come from National Weather Service Peachtree City daily climate reports for Columbus. All reported historical temperature records refer to measurements at Columbus Airport.