Columbus woke up to pockets of thick fog Thursday morning, April 23, with temperatures near 54°F and visibility dropping in some low-lying spots. The gray start should not last long, though. Forecasters expect the sun to punch through by mid-morning and drive highs into the low 80s, with a high near 81°F across the metro. There is a slight chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., but most neighborhoods are in line for a mostly sunny afternoon.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington issued a Special Weather Statement warning that fog could trim visibility to one mile or less and urged drivers to be ready for rapid changes during the morning commute, according to the National Weather Service. Current observations at John Glenn (KCMH) show fog and mist with relative humidity near 100 percent, backing up those stubborn low-visibility pockets.
Foggy Morning, Sunny Afternoon
The fog should thin by late morning as light southwest winds and daytime heating kick in. Temperatures will climb from the upper 50s into the upper 70s and low 80s by mid to late afternoon, and southwest breezes will stay on the mild side at 2 to 7 mph. That small afternoon storm window from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 23, could still pop a brief heavy downpour or a few lightning strikes if a cell manages to develop.
Friday Night Storms To Watch
Another system arrives Friday, with highs again in the mid 80s before a cold front moves through Friday night. Showers and thunderstorms are likely Friday night with an 80% chance and new rainfall amounts of a quarter to a half inch possible. The strongest storms could bring damaging winds, according to the NWS. It is worth keeping a close eye on Friday evening outdoor plans and travel, since localized impacts are on the table.
What To Know For Plans And The Commute
For the morning drive, slow down, use low beams in the fog, and pad your schedule a bit. Most afternoon plans should be in good shape, but it will not hurt to stash a light rain layer if you will be out between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., and have a backup option ready for Friday night events. Forecasters also flag another round of showers and storms as possible Monday night into Tuesday, so it is smart to keep later-week outdoor plans flexible and check for updates if you have anything big on the calendar.
