Columbus woke up Wednesday, March 4, 2026, to a gray, drippy start. Patchy fog and mist settled in with temperatures in the mid-40s, and visibility dropped in low-lying spots just in time for the morning rush. A Flood Watch is in effect through early afternoon as steadier rain moves in by mid-morning. Commuters can expect wet roads, slower travel and a climb into the upper 50s by later in the day.
Rain And Flood Watch
Light showers will give way to more persistent rain from mid-morning into the afternoon, with new rainfall amounts this morning of about a tenth to a quarter inch, and the potential for heavier totals later on. Tonight is shaping up to be the wettest stretch, with rainfall amounts between one half and three quarters of an inch possible, and Thursday could tack on another three quarters to an inch in some areas.
With soils already saturated, the National Weather Service Wilmington is warning about rising small streams and the potential for localized street and creek flooding. The office advises checking its latest products for county-level details on where the biggest problems may develop.
Tonight And Thursday
Rain holds on into this evening with a chance of thunderstorms, then briefly eases up before another round of showers and storms rolls in Thursday. That second wave will keep temperatures running unusually mild, with highs near 67°F. Forecasters note that repeated rounds of precipitation through the week could nudge some river gauges into action or minor flood stage, so residents along the Great Miami, Little Miami and lower Scioto basins should keep tabs on local river forecasts.
Commute And Airports
Fog and low ceilings are already trimming visibility at John Glenn Columbus International Airport this morning, and that could mean delays and lower-ceiling restrictions through the early commute. On the roads, expect wet pavement and ponding in poorly drained spots, boosting the risk of hydroplaning. Drivers are urged to slow down and stick with low-beam headlights in fog. If you are heading out this morning, build in extra travel time and check airline and transit updates before you go.
What To Do
Avoid driving through standing water and move vehicles off low-lying streets if you can. If you encounter flooding, turn around and find an alternate route rather than trying to push through. Sign up for local alerts, monitor flood statements from emergency management and grab a waterproof jacket if you have outdoor plans this afternoon.
Our Coverage
This update builds on yesterday's look at the same system. For more background on how this wet pattern set up over the region, see our earlier post on all-day rain swelling flood fears. We will continue to track the forecast and any advisories through the day as conditions evolve.
