Columbus woke up to clear skies and a mild Wednesday start, but the calm will not last. As of 5:35 a.m. EDT Wednesday, April 22, observations near John Glenn Columbus International Airport were around 61°F with breezy southwest winds. By this afternoon, temperatures are expected to surge into the mid-to-upper 70s, setting the stage for scattered showers and thunderstorms to fire up. If you are heading home during rush hour, you will want a rain plan.
Afternoon Storms And The Commute
The chance of showers and thunderstorms climbs to around 40% this afternoon, with a high near 77°F and west winds near 9 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Where the heftier cells pop, new rainfall totals could land between a quarter and a half inch. Wind shear looks limited, so hail and gusty winds remain the main concerns from any stronger storms rather than more organized severe weather. Forecasters expect the best storm coverage along a boundary draped across central Ohio this afternoon into the evening on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, which means quick downpours that can briefly snarl traffic and cut visibility.
Tonight Through The Weekend
Scattered showers and thunderstorms may hang around into the evening before fading after about 8 p.m., with overnight lows settling near 56°F. Another, more organized batch of showers and thunderstorms is possible late Friday into Saturday morning, with locally higher rainfall totals Friday night. We first flagged this active pattern in our earlier weather whiplash ride coverage, and the weekend timing still bears close watching.
Monday System
A stronger mid-level system is expected Monday into Monday night, April 27, 2026, and it could deliver more widespread showers and thunderstorms along with a more robust severe-weather signal than today. How serious that gets will hinge on timing and the exact track of the low, so forecast tweaks over the next few days will matter. For now, it is reasonable to plan for periods of heavy rain and gusty winds from Monday into Tuesday. According to the National Weather Service, models are still sharpening the timing and placement of that system.
How To Prepare
Grab a rain jacket and secure loose outdoor items before storms bubble up this afternoon, since brief heavy downpours can quickly cut visibility and slow traffic. If you have outdoor plans from Friday through Monday, line up indoor backup options and check the latest forecast before you head out.
