Columbus woke up on the cool side Thursday, May 7, 2026, with mostly clear skies and temperatures parked in the mid-40s. By this afternoon, expect plenty of sunshine and a high near 59°F, with a northwest breeze that will pick up as the day goes on.
Afternoon And Week Ahead
Skies should stay mostly sunny through the day, with northwest winds around 5–13 mph and gusts that could top out near 25 mph later this afternoon. Late tonight into early Friday, May 8, a slight chance of spotty showers sneaks in before a more unsettled pattern moves in for the weekend.
The wettest window looks to be Friday night, May 8, when rain showers are likely and new rainfall amounts between a quarter and a half-inch are possible. Saturday, May 9, may start out on the soggy side, with showers before 2 p.m., then rebound into the low 70s. Another round of showers and a better shot at thunderstorms is expected Sunday, May 10, mainly in the afternoon and evening, and those storms could bring brief heavy downpours, according to the NWS.
What This Means For Your Plans
If you are heading out for the Friday night commute, plan on bringing an umbrella and maybe rethinking that patio reservation. It is also smart to have an indoor backup for outdoor gatherings on Saturday morning and Sunday, May 10. Wet roads and pockets of heavier rain could slow buses and local traffic. The transit agency COTA currently lists no active service alerts this morning, so bus riders should keep an eye on transit notices if the rain picks up.
For evening plans on Friday or Sunday, build in some flexibility. Showers and storms could shift in timing, and brief heavy downpours might dampen outdoor events, so checking updated forecasts before you head out would not be a bad idea.
Bottom Line
Thursday stays cool and mostly sunny, with only a small chance of late-night showers. The wettest stretch arrives Friday night and lingers into the weekend. Forecasters may issue advisories if storms ramp up, so keep an eye on updated forecasts since the timing of showers and thunderstorms can change quickly.
