Columbus is starting Memorial Day under a thick blanket of fog, with low-lying neighborhoods and river valleys socked in and visibility sharply reduced. Around 5:40 a.m. ET Monday, May 25, 2026, observations at John Glenn Columbus International (KCMH) showed mostly cloudy skies, roughly 64°F, and very high humidity. A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect through 9 a.m., and local roads may be slick and slow-moving early on, so it is a good idea to budget extra time for the morning drive. Conditions are expected to improve into a mostly cloudy to partly sunny afternoon, with a high near 78°F.
Morning Commute and Airport Impacts
The National Weather Service office in Wilmington has posted a Dense Fog Advisory for much of central Ohio through 9 a.m., noting pockets of near-zero visibility in river valleys and shaded spots. Drivers are urged to slow down, use low-beam headlights, and leave extra room to brake, especially when moving in and out of thicker fog patches. Sudden lane changes are a bad idea when you can barely see past the hood.
Those catching an early flight out of John Glenn should double-check their departure status with Fly Columbus before heading to the terminal, since the lowest visibilities early this morning could cause some delays. The fog is expected to gradually lift through mid-morning, with the clearest improvement after the advisory expires.
Memorial Day Afternoon
Once the sun gets higher, the fog should thin quickly for most of the metro area, with just a few stubborn pockets hanging on until around 7 a.m. From there, the day trends toward a mostly cloudy to partly sunny sky, and highs should reach near 78°F. A light north wind around 6 mph will help keep things comfortable for cookouts, outdoor gatherings, and any daytime plans that can live with more clouds than full-on sunshine. By Monday night, temperatures slide into the upper 50s, so anyone staying out late may want a light layer.
Late Week Outlook
Heat builds a bit on Tuesday, with highs pushing to around 83°F. A weak boundary drifts back into the region late Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing a chance of spotty showers Tuesday night, followed by showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday. Forecasters expect atmospheric moisture to increase through midweek, which means a few localized heavy downpours are possible, although most rain should be brief. If you have outdoor plans Tuesday or Wednesday, it is smart to keep a rain backup and check for timing updates, since the exact arrival of showers and storms can still shift. Conditions should trend drier and sunnier by Thursday.
Quick Tips
Allow extra travel time in the fog this morning, keep your headlights on low beam, and avoid abrupt lane changes when visibility suddenly drops. For Tuesday and Wednesday, have a fallback plan for outdoor events in case a shower or storm pops up, and keep an eye on a weather app or local forecast updates. For official watches, advisories, and the latest details, follow guidance from the National Weather Service Wilmington office.
