Columbus woke up to gray skies and thick, muggy air on Sunday morning, May 24, 2026, with temperatures sitting in the low 60s at John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to build through the day and into Sunday night, with the most active period projected from late morning through the evening commute.
Forecasters are calling for a high near 77°F and about a 90% chance of showers and storms. Some neighborhoods could quickly pick up a quarter to a half inch of rain. Southeast winds will stay light at roughly 1 to 5 mph, which means some storms may creep along instead of racing through. According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, the axis of heavier rain is expected to favor areas south and east of I-71 and along the I-75 corridor, where localized flooding remains a low but nonzero concern.
Timing And Commute Impacts
Spotty showers are possible through mid-morning, with storm chances ramping up from around noon through the late afternoon and into the evening on Sunday, May 24. Any stronger cell could briefly dump heavy rain, cutting visibility and slowing traffic during the afternoon and evening drive. Plan on a slower commute, give yourself extra travel time, and take it easy on slick roads. Showers and a few thunderstorms may linger overnight, with temperatures settling back into the low 60s.
Where It Could Be Wettest
Forecast discussions point to the southeastern side of the Columbus metro and the I-75 corridor as the most likely zones for heavier totals, where a focused plume of moisture could fuel slower-moving, rain-heavy storms. While the overall chance of widespread flash flooding is currently low, drivers and pedestrians should keep an eye out for standing water in low-lying spots and near small creeks and streams during any intense downpours.
Week Ahead
Monday is expected to be a relative breather, with drier conditions and highs near 80°F. Temperatures then climb into the low 80s later in the week, with scattered storm chances returning Tuesday and Wednesday. Forecasters note that Wednesday could see the most widespread storm coverage as a boundary nudges northward. For more on the broader soggy pattern this month, see our May 16 piece on the stormy setup before the heat.
What To Do
Have a backup indoor plan for any outdoor errands or events, and keep an umbrella or rain jacket close by. Make sure you are signed up for local weather alerts on your phone so you are not surprised by a sudden downpour. If you run into a flooded road, turn around and find another way in. Do not try to drive through standing water, no matter how shallow it looks.
