Columbus woke up under a gray ceiling Thursday morning, May 21, with clouds hanging over John Glenn Columbus International Airport and temperatures near 52°F. The day is expected to stay mostly cloudy with a high around 70°F, but the real story is the wetter system lining up for Friday that could shuffle some holiday weekend travel plans.
Friday Into Friday Night
The National Weather Service is flagging an "increasing potential for locally heavy rainfall south and east of I-71 Friday into Friday night." Showers are likely on Friday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., followed by a more widespread and heavier band Friday night. Forecasters say pockets of 1–2 inches of rain, with a few higher amounts, could trigger brief flash flooding in low-lying spots. For detailed briefing updates, check NWS Wilmington.
Timing And Impacts
Plan on the first round of showers rolling through around midday Friday, with stronger thunderstorms developing after dark as the rain becomes more widespread. By Friday night, gusts could reach around 20–25 mph in the heavier storms, boosting the risk of ponding on roads and knocking down a few branches.
If you have outdoor Memorial Day plans, it is smart to bring activities inside or line up a backup option. Our earlier look at the evolving setup walks through how this pattern has been taking shape.
Weekend Outlook
Showers and thunderstorms are likely to linger into Saturday, with a high near 79°F. Sunday currently looks partly sunny and warmer, with a high near 83°F, though there is still a chance of late-afternoon storms. Memorial Day on Monday also appears unsettled, with showers and thunderstorms likely and highs around 80°F.
How To Prepare
Avoid driving through standing water, secure any outdoor furniture that could blow around, and give yourself extra time if you need to be on the road during the heaviest rain. Keep weather alerts turned on and check the forecast before heading out, since local watches or warnings are possible if storms train over the same neighborhood. If you encounter flooding, turn around and do not drive through floodwater.
