Columbus is waking up under a gray curtain this Thursday, with steady rain and patchy fog cutting visibility and temperatures stalled in the mid-50s. A Flood Watch stays in effect through 1 p.m., and several rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms today could turn small streams and low-lying streets into trouble spots. Both the morning and afternoon commutes are on track to be slower, wetter, and tougher to see through.
When The Heaviest Rain Will Fall
The most active stretch looks to be from mid-morning into the afternoon, when showers and thunderstorms become more widespread across the area. Most spots are on pace to pick up around three-quarters of an inch to an inch of rain, with locally higher totals where storms linger.
According to the National Weather Service Wilmington, some locations could see 1 to 2 inches. With soils already saturated, it will not take much additional rain to trigger street and creek flooding during the watch period. If you live near smaller streams or creeks, this is a good time to keep tabs on county-level flood statements.
Commutes And Flights
Thick patches of fog and low cloud ceilings are already trimming visibility in spots, and wet pavement is boosting the risk of hydroplaning where drainage is poor. Drivers are urged to slow down, stick with low beams in fog, and steer clear of standing water that covers the roadway.
At John Glenn Columbus International (CMH), the low clouds and rain could mean hiccups for arrivals and departures. Anyone flying today should check in with their airline and the airport for potential delays and give themselves extra time to get to the terminal.
Looking Ahead
The unsettled pattern is not done yet. Highs jump into the 70s on Friday and could flirt with record territory, followed by another round of showers and storms likely on Saturday. With repeated bouts of rain through the weekend, some river and creek gauges may start to rise, so residents in flood-prone neighborhoods will want to stay tuned for updates before locking in outdoor plans.
More From Hoodline
This story builds on our coverage from yesterday. For background on how this wet pattern set up over the region, check out how this wet pattern developed in our earlier post, "Columbus Swamped." We will keep an eye on any new watches or flood warnings through the day and update as conditions change.
