Columbus woke up Thursday under a blanket of clouds and temperatures in the mid-40s, with a northwest breeze that made it feel more like late March than mid-May. Look for a rebound to a high near 64°F this afternoon, then partly cloudy skies tonight with a low around 44°F. For now, there are no watches or warnings posted for the metro area.
Afternoon Winds and the Commute
Northwest winds will run about 8 to 12 mph this afternoon, with gusts up to roughly 20 knots (around 23 mph). That could make evening bike and pedestrian commutes feel a bit blustery, especially in more open stretches. A band of low clouds may briefly trim visibility before sunrise at local airports, but ceilings are expected to lift and scatter through the midday commute.
Weekend Storm Risk
Friday turns noticeably milder, with highs climbing into the lower 70s. A chance of rain arrives late Friday night, mainly after about 2 a.m. Saturday. Saturday itself looks warm and humid, with a high near 83°F and showers and thunderstorms likely - about a 70% chance. Some of the stronger cells could drop a quick quarter to half inch of rain in spots. The storm threat continues into Saturday night, when rain chances climb to roughly 80% before drier air tries to edge in on Sunday.
Big Warm-Up Early Next Week
According to the National Weather Service, an unusually warm air mass is set to park over the region early next week. Highs are forecast to surge to around 93°F Monday and about 92°F Tuesday, levels that push into near-record territory for mid-May. A cold front sometime late Tuesday into Wednesday should take the edge off the heat, although its exact timing could also help trigger additional thunderstorms as it moves through.
Plan Ahead
If you have outdoor plans, be ready to dodge or delay around afternoon storms this weekend, and plan to dial back strenuous activity during the early-week heat. Hydrate, keep an eye on updated forecasts, and have a backup indoor option ready. Columbus Recreation and Parks has opened community centers as cooling options during past heat events - check the City of Columbus for lists and heat-safety tips.
