Columbus woke up Friday, April 17, 2026, to clear skies and a brisk start near 55°F at the airport. By afternoon, though, the city heads for the low 80s before a strong cold front barrels in overnight. The timing matters: showers and thunderstorms are expected to roll in late tonight into Saturday, April 18, with a much cooler air mass settling in for the rest of the weekend.
Today And Tonight
Friday stays mostly sunny with a high near 82°F and light west winds this afternoon, a classic "enjoy it while you can" kind of day. Tonight turns mild, with a low around 64°F and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between about 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Saturday. Only a few tenths of an inch of rain are expected before activity picks up later Saturday morning.
Main Storm Window Saturday
Saturday, April 18, is the main event. The odds for organized showers and thunderstorms jump to about 90 percent, with periods of steady rain possible. Southwest winds of 9 to 17 mph are likely, with gusts up to 29 mph.
Strong to severe storms cannot be ruled out. Damaging straight-line winds are the primary concern, especially across eastern parts of the metro, according to the National Weather Service Wilmington.
Saturday night, the cold front pushes through and flips the script. Temperatures drop into the low 40s, with northwest winds and gusts up to about 25 mph. Additional showers and a rumble or two of thunder are possible into the overnight hours.
Sunday will feel like a different season, with a high near 55°F and blustery northwest winds. By Sunday night, readings could fall into the low to mid 30s, cold enough for patchy frost in some of the suburbs.
Impact And Tips
Drivers should plan for slower trips Saturday morning where downpours or gusty winds cut visibility and make for slick roads. Outdoor gatherings, lawn chairs, and any loose backyard gear should be secured ahead of the front.
Gardeners in particular should be on alert. Protect tender plants Saturday night into Sunday morning if they are sensitive to near-freezing temperatures. It is also a good idea for everyone to keep phones charged and to monitor local alerts as the storms move through.
