Columbus woke up to a muggy, mild start on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with temperatures hovering near 66°F at John Glenn Columbus International Airport. It will stay warm and breezy through the day, with highs around 78°F and southwest winds of 8 to 14 mph, gusting up to about 24 mph. Spotty showers are possible between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., followed by a better shot at scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Any heavier storms could briefly knock down visibility and put the brakes on the evening commute.
Afternoon Storms And The Commute
Scattered storms are expected to redevelop this afternoon, with the eastern side of the metro carrying the highest odds of getting rumbled on. The National Weather Service in Wilmington has actually trimmed precipitation chances a bit for today, but still keeps roughly a 30 to 50 percent chance of afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms on the board. New rainfall amounts are expected to stay under a tenth of an inch in most neighborhoods. Southwest gusts this afternoon could make travel over bridges and across open stretches of highway a little dicey, so build in some extra time if you are heading out. National Weather Service Wilmington
Update On Yesterday's Coverage
Hoodline ran a forecast piece yesterday, and this update tightens up today's timing while trimming rain chances for much of the metro as we head toward the weekend cooldown. For a bit of context on how the pattern set up, see our April 15 stormy sizzle preview.
Weekend Turnaround
A strong cold front is expected to sweep through on Saturday, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms with gusts that could reach 28 mph. Rainfall totals from Saturday into Saturday night could add up to a quarter to a half inch in spots, and there is a low-end threat for severe storms, depending on timing and where instability sets up. Once the front moves through, highs drop into the 50s for Sunday and Monday, with overnight lows near freezing Sunday night in some suburbs. That is cold enough to worry tender plants and gear, so cover anything sensitive. Keep an eye on how the forecast evolves as the weekend gets closer. National Weather Service Wilmington
Quick Tips
If you have outdoor plans this afternoon or Saturday, line up an indoor backup and secure tents, grills and loose furniture. Expect gusty bursts, so tie down anything that can blow away, and give yourself extra time on the roads. Charge your phone and check the latest forecast before you lock in evening plans.
