Columbus started Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, socked in by thick fog, with visibility cut down and temperatures stuck in the low 50s. The fog should slowly lift by mid to late morning, but the calm will not last long. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to fire up later today and into tonight, and some could turn strong to severe. Have a plan to get indoors quickly if warnings pop up.
Fog Fades, Storm Threat Builds
Widespread fog is likely to clear by about 11 a.m., with afternoon highs climbing to around 63°F on Thursday. A warm front will help trigger scattered showers this afternoon, followed by a better shot at rain and thunderstorms this evening that could become strong. According to the National Weather Service, the main severe window runs roughly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the primary threats including large hail, damaging straight-line winds, isolated tornadoes and localized flooding. New rainfall totals tonight could reach between one half and three quarters of an inch, and a cold front will bring gusts around 35-40 mph Friday afternoon. For the latest watches, warnings and the Special Weather Statement issued for this morning’s dense fog, see NWS Wilmington OH.
What To Expect And How To Stay Safe
Drivers can expect slower going anywhere the fog hangs on, especially across bridges and through highway underpasses where visibility can change fast. Use low-beam headlights, ease off the gas, and give yourself extra room to stop. If visibility drops below a quarter mile, the smart move is to pull off the road in a safe spot and wait it out. For tonight’s storms, have a shelter plan ready and keep phones set to receive emergency alerts so you can move quickly if watches are upgraded to warnings.
Friday Gusts And Weekend Cool-Down
A cold front will sweep through early Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, with afternoon wind gusts around 35-40 mph, especially across west-central Ohio. The weekend turns noticeably cooler, with highs in the 30s and low 40s and a chance for light snow Sunday and Sunday night. Any new snow accumulation looks light, with less than half an inch possible where the colder air settles in.
This updates our earlier coverage on the wet drive in, and you can find background and extra context in our previous report on the rain-soaked commute. We will post updates if watches or warnings are issued, so check local forecasts before locking in those evening plans.
