Columbus is waking up under mostly clear skies and a chill in the air, with temperatures in the upper 30s, about 39°F, as of 5:40 a.m. today. The mild run is not done yet: the city climbs to a high near 65°F today, then really turns up the heat tomorrow, with much of the area pushing into the upper 70s. A cold front barges in Thursday night into early Friday, March 27, bringing showers and thunderstorms that could turn strong to severe in parts of the metro.
Today Into Thursday
Wednesday, March 25, will feel like a solid spring preview, with partly sunny skies and a high near 65°F. A light south wind, around 2 to 9 mph, keeps things comfortable.
Clouds build in on Wednesday night, and the low only slips to around 54°F, with just a slight chance of a few sprinkles.
By Thursday, March 26, the warmup is in full swing. Southerly winds pull temperatures into the upper 70s, putting Columbus just shy of, or right on top of, daily record highs in a few spots. It will feel more like late April than late March, at least for a day.
Thunderstorm Risk Thursday Night
The flip side of that warmth arrives Thursday night into the early hours of Friday, March 27, as a cold front sweeps across the region. Showers and thunderstorms are expected along the front, and some storms could turn strong to severe with damaging straight-line winds and locally heavy downpours. A few neighborhoods could pick up 1-2 inches of rain before the system moves out.
Forecasters note that several storms could become severe and will be watched closely. For the latest technical breakdown, check the NWS forecast discussion.
Commute And Weekend Impacts
Gusty winds on Thursday and Thursday night, likely in the 20 to 30 mph range, could slow the evening commute and toss around unsecured outdoor items. Heavy bursts of rain may lead to standing water on city streets, so drivers should be ready for ponding in the usual low spots.
Behind the front, temperatures drop sharply on Friday, March 27, with highs only in the 40s and overnight lows dipping below freezing into Saturday, March 28. The quick swing from the upper 70s to freezing will be hard to miss, so plan for a brisk start to the weekend.
If you are flying out or picking someone up, check on your itinerary before leaving home. FlyColumbus provides real-time updates for John Glenn Columbus International, which can help you avoid surprises if storms or winds disrupt schedules.
