Columbus is starting Thursday, March 26, 2026, on the cloudy and mild side, with temperatures hovering near 59°F (15°C) by mid‑morning. Showers are likely before 11 a.m., but once that round of rain moves out, the city is in for a warm, windy afternoon ahead of a much more dangerous round of storms Thursday night into early Friday. Forecasters warn that damaging winds, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes will be possible in some areas.
Afternoon Heat And Gusty Winds
After the morning showers track east, a strong southwesterly flow will send afternoon temperatures into the mid to upper 70s, pushing toward a near‑record high for late March. Southwest winds of 7 to 15 mph will strengthen through the day, with afternoon gusts likely in the 30 to 40 mph range. Anything light in the yard could take flight, so securing loose outdoor items and planning for a breezy commute would not be overkill.
Thursday Night Storms Could Be Severe
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to ramp up Thursday evening and continue through the overnight hours into Friday, March 27, 2026, and some of those storms could turn severe. The greatest risk is expected near and north of Interstate 70, where forecasters are watching for damaging straight‑line winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes and localized heavy rainfall of 1 to 2 inches overnight, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
Commute, Transit And Safety
The evening and overnight commute may line up with the roughest weather. Heavy downpours and strong gusts could quickly cut visibility and slow traffic, and standing water may pop up fast in low‑lying spots. Transit riders should check service updates from COTA before heading out. Ahead of the storms, secure outdoor furniture and make sure you have more than one way to receive weather warnings tonight, especially if you live in a flood‑prone neighborhood.
What Comes Next
Most of the rain should clear out by Friday morning, but the air behind the storms will be much cooler. Friday is expected to top out near 46°F with scattered showers possible through the afternoon. The weekend looks calmer but still on the chilly side, with sunshine and highs near 47°F on Saturday, before another active pattern returns early next week that brings additional chances for showers and thunderstorms.
