Ohio – Darkening clouds are already building over central Ohio this morning, and the air feels heavy as storms begin to organize west of Columbus. Drivers along I-70 and I-71 may encounter sudden downpours and gusty winds later today, especially during the late afternoon commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop this afternoon into early evening, with a few storms turning strong. The primary threat will be gusty winds, but brief heavy rain and isolated lightning could also impact travel.
Across Franklin, Delaware, and Licking counties, conditions will shift quickly after midday. Sunshine early will give way to clouds and storms, with highs reaching near 77°F. Roads could turn slick fast, especially on high-speed routes like I-270 where sudden rainfall reduces visibility.
Plan ahead if traveling later today. Keep headlights on in rain, and watch for ponding on roadways. While widespread severe weather is not expected, isolated stronger storms could still create brief hazards.
A calmer stretch arrives Thursday with sunshine and highs near 81°F. Friday turns warmer, climbing to 82°F, but instability returns late. Showers and thunderstorms become more likely Friday night, with rain chances increasing to 80%.
The weekend trends unsettled. Saturday brings a 60% chance of showers and highs near 74°F, with wet roads likely through much of the day. Conditions improve slightly Sunday with partial sunshine and highs near 72°F.
Five Day Forecast for Columbus, OH:
Thursday: Sunny, high 81°F
Friday: Partly sunny, high 82°F
Saturday: Showers likely, high 74°F
Sunday: Partly sunny, high 72°F
Monday: Chance of storms, high 76°F
