We're running three inches wet, and El Niño could mean more rain ahead
Is rainfall above or below normal this year in the CNAW viewing area?
The viewing area is running about three inches above the normal rainfall for this date in 2026.
Forecast rainfall over the next six hours. Map: CNAW 2, built from NOAA data on a USGS base.
The viewing area has received 39.12 inches of rain so far this year, running about three inches ahead of the normal 35.88 inches for this date. That surplus comes as a strong El Niño pattern grips the Pacific Ocean, with an index reading of 1.8.
Historically, strong El Niño events tend to strengthen the jet stream across the southern United States, often bringing a wetter cold season to the Gulf South. The seasonal outlook for October through December backs this up: there's a 40 percent probability of above-normal precipitation during those three months.
For now, the seven-day forecast shows only light rain chances—17 percent today, 19 percent Monday, and 34 percent Tuesday. But the pattern set by El Niño suggests the wetter trend could continue as we move into autumn and winter.
Right now in Columbus, Georgia
78°Temperature
73°Dew point
85%Humidity
5 mphWind — northeast
29.97"Pressure
The next seven days
Day
High
Low
Rain
Conditions
TODAY
93°
73°
17%
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
MON
94°
72°
19%
Sunny
TUE
94°
72°
34%
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WED
91°
68°
20%
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
THU
86°
64°
14%
Mostly Sunny
FRI
85°
63°
3%
Mostly Sunny
SAT
85°
61°
5%
Mostly Sunny
Written by the CNAW 2 weather desk from CNAW 2 weather desk data. Last updated September 20, 2026 at 11:52 AM Eastern. Covering Columbus and Phenix City, Auburn–Opelika, LaGrange, Eufaula and the rest of the 19-county CNAW viewing area.
