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
69°Dew point
93%Humidity
3 mphWind — east
29.98"Pressure
The next seven days
Day
High
Low
Rain
Conditions
TONIGHT
—
71°
24%
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
TODAY
90°
69°
20%
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
THU
83°
62°
4%
Partly Sunny
FRI
83°
59°
0%
Sunny
SAT
84°
58°
0%
Mostly Sunny
SUN
87°
59°
2%
Mostly Sunny
MON
88°
61°
8%
Mostly Sunny
Written by the CNAW 2 weather desk from NOAA Climate Prediction Center data. Last updated September 23, 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.
