Columbia weather by month

Frost and snow-likely months in Columbia

Nights in Columbia average 36°F (2°C) or below in 3 months (January, February and December). January, February and December combine average lows at or below 32°F (0°C) with 0.4 in (10 mm) or more of monthly precipitation, so precipitation then is likely to fall as snow. The coldest month is January with an average low of 23°F (-5°C) and a record low of -7°F (-21°C).

• January: average low 23°F (-5°C), record low -7°F (-21°C), 1.2 in (30 mm) of precipitation — snow-likely
• February: average low 25°F (-4°C), record low -5°F (-20°C), 0.8 in (20 mm) of precipitation — snow-likely
• December: average low 31°F (0°C), record low 5°F (-15°C), 1.5 in (37 mm) of precipitation — snow-likely

These records carry temperature and precipitation, not snowfall totals.

Best time to visit Columbia

The most comfortable time to visit Columbia is generally May and September to October, balancing mild daytime temperatures against the driest stretch of the year. The city has strongly marked seasons and rain concentrates around May, totalling about 26.6 in (675 mm) a year.

Travellers who prefer heat should aim for July, when highs average 89°F (32°C). May is the month to avoid if rain would spoil your plans — it averages 4.4 in (112 mm), roughly 6× the rainfall of the driest month (February).