A strong El Niño is steering the Valley’s fall — NOAA puts it at 40% odds of a wetter October through December, 33% odds of a warmer one.
NOAA seasonal rainfall outlook for the months ahead. Map: CNAW 2, built from NOAA data on a USGS base.
A strong El Niño is in place — the three-month index sits at +1.80, and anything past plus nought point five counts. An El Niño strengthens the subtropical jet stream straight across the southern United States. In the record that has usually meant a wetter and often cooler cold season along the Gulf South, with more storm systems crossing the region and a raised risk of severe weather in the Gulf states. For October through December the Climate Prediction Center gives this area 40% odds of a wetter October through December, 33% odds of a warmer one. None of that is a forecast for any one day; it is where the odds sit for the season as a whole.
Right now in Columbus, Georgia
71°Temperature
68°Dew point
92%Humidity
4 mphWind — south
29.96"Pressure
The next seven days
Day
High
Low
Rain
Conditions
TONIGHT
—
73°
44%
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
TODAY
94°
73°
23%
Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
MON
95°
72°
35%
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
TUE
93°
72°
37%
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WED
91°
69°
20%
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
THU
87°
67°
8%
Mostly Sunny
FRI
87°
65°
4%
Sunny
Written by the CNAW 2 weather desk from NOAA Climate Prediction Center data. Last updated September 20, 2026 at 1:21 AM Eastern. Covering Columbus and Phenix City, Auburn–Opelika, LaGrange, Eufaula and the rest of the 19-county CNAW viewing area.
