Is it good to stain in Columbus, OH this week?
A live 7-day go/no-go calendar for deck & fence stain in Columbus, built from the local forecast against the 5°F-above-dew-point rule. We lead with the signal a weather app misses: overnight condensation risk.
- Dew margin
- 0.9°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 53%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 0.9°F of the 71°F dew point (low 72°F, 84% cloud, 1 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 1.3°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 54%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 1.3°F of the 71°F dew point (low 71°F, 73% cloud, 1 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 2.1°F
- Overnight dew
- Watch
- Rain
- 26%
- Window
- —
Humidity peaks at 96% — well above the 85% ceiling; cure stalls and moisture gets trapped.
- Dew margin
- 4.3°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 56%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 4.3°F of the 64°F dew point (low 68°F, 5% cloud, 5 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 5.2°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 26%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 68–80°F, RH under 81%, surface stays 5.2°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- Dew margin
- 5.2°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 4%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 63–83°F, RH under 78%, surface stays 5.2°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- Dew margin
- 12.2°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 18%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 67–87°F, RH under 76%, surface stays 12.2°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 0.9°F of the 71°F dew point (low 72°F, 84% cloud, 1 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Humidity peaks at 100% — well above the 85% ceiling; cure stalls and moisture gets trapped.
- Rain likely in the 24h cure window (53% chance, ~6.2mm) — it can wash out or mar an uncured stain.
Hold off. These are forecast numbers — confirm the surface temperature on-site before you start.
Why these thresholds
Stain applied to a damp or dew-wet board can't penetrate — it beads, stays tacky and flakes. Wood must be dry and stay above the dew point while it sets.
- • Surface temp must stay 5°F above the dew point through application and cure (ASTM D3276 / ISO 8502-42).
- • Air + surface in the 50–90°F band (low-temp lines to 45°F).
- • Humidity under 85%; ideally under 70%.
- • No rain for 24h after application.
- • We use the forecast ground-surface temperature as a surface-temp proxy — confirm on-site with an IR thermometer.
Free in the beta
Watch this job site 24/7
Get an email the moment overnight dew, rain, or an out-of-range stretch threatens a fresh coat — and a morning digest with the best window ahead. No app to check; we watch the forecast for you.