Get ready for some soggy trick or treaters. Despite rain, central Ohio sticks to Halloween plan
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- Rainy weather in central Ohio is impacting trick or treat plans for some communities.
- Most cities are following the regional recommendation to hold trick or treating on Thursday, Oct. 30, despite the rain.
- The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) sets the recommended date to avoid conflicts with weekend activities.
Many in central Ohio woke up to rain Thursday morning— and with more expected this evening, trick-or-treat plans could get soggy.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Oct. 30 will bring a 100% chance of precipitation that is expected to drop to 30% tonight, leaving behind a chilly, misty backdrop for trick or treating in central Ohio communities.
While most central Ohio communities are sticking with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s (MORPC) recommended trick-or-treat date of Thursday, Oct. 30, a few have made changes because of the rain.
Have Columbus-area communities rescheduled trick-or-treat?
MORPC recommends central Ohio communities hold trick-or-treat on Oct. 30 each year and notes that the date “will not change in the event of inclement weather.”
Most cities— including Columbus, Dublin, and Westerville— follow that guideline and plan to proceed as scheduled. Dublin, for example, states on its website: “In the event of inclement weather, the recommended date will not change.”
However, a few smaller municipalities have adjusted plans:
- Lithopolis rescheduled its village-wide trick or treat to Oct. 31, from 6–7:30 p.m. The village’s “Tricks and Treats” concert was canceled due to weather and will not be rescheduled.
- Alexandria moved trick or treating to Friday, Oct. 31, from 6–7:30 p.m., citing forecasted rain.
Why does MORPC recommend Oct. 30 for trick-or-treating?
MORPC has helped coordinate central Ohio’s trick-or-treat schedule since 1993, adopting its current system in 2005 to make the date more convenient for families.
Under MORPC’s guideline, when Halloween falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, trick or treat is held the Thursday before Oct. 31. When Oct. 31 falls on a Monday through Thursday, it’s held on Halloween.
The goal is to avoid conflicts with Friday night football games, Saturday events and Sunday church services, while keeping the schedule consistent across the region.
Local communities, however, are still encouraged to set their own dates.
Here’s the Columbus forecast
Thursday, Oct 30: Rain. There will be a high near 51 degrees. There will be north wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts are expected to be between a quarter and half-of-an-inch possible.
Thursday night: A chance of rain, mainly before 9 p.m. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing with a low around 39 degrees. There will be northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts are expected to be less than a tenth-of-an-inch possible.
Friday, Oct 31: Partly sunny, with a high near 55 degrees. There will be west wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38 degrees. There will be west wind 5 to 8 mph.
Saturday, Nov. 1: Partly sunny, with a high near 56 degrees. There will be light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Saturday night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday, Nov. 2: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57 degrees.
Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38 degrees.
Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
