We're three inches wet for the year, and fall could bring more
Will it be wetter than normal this fall and winter in west Georgia
A strong El Niño is raising the odds of above-normal rainfall across the region through the winter months.
Forecast rainfall over the next six hours. Map: CNAW 2, built from NOAA data on a USGS base.
Columbus is running three and a quarter inches above normal rainfall so far this year, and the pattern that's been feeding moisture into the region is likely to stick around. A strong El Niño in the Pacific is strengthening the jet stream across the southern United States, which historically means more rain and storm systems will cross the Gulf South through the winter months.
The seasonal outlook for October, November and December shows a 40 per cent chance of above-normal precipitation in our area. That's well above the one-in-three baseline you'd expect by chance. Combined with what we've already received, it sets up the possibility of a notably wet stretch ahead.
The same pattern also raises the risk of severe weather in the Gulf states during the cold season, so this is worth watching as we move into autumn.
Right now in Columbus, Georgia
88°Temperature
71°Dew point
56%Humidity
7 mphWind — east
29.93"Pressure
The next seven days
Day
High
Low
Rain
Conditions
TODAY
93°
72°
20%
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
MON
95°
72°
10%
Sunny
TUE
95°
71°
19%
Sunny
WED
91°
69°
23%
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
THU
85°
65°
15%
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
FRI
85°
63°
2%
Sunny
SAT
85°
62°
4%
Mostly Sunny
Written by the CNAW 2 weather desk from CNAW 2 weather desk data. Last updated September 20, 2026 at 3:16 PM Eastern. Covering Columbus and Phenix City, Auburn–Opelika, LaGrange, Eufaula and the rest of the 19-county CNAW viewing area.
