Saturday morning, May 23, started gray and soupy across Columbus, with light rain and that familiar Midwest humidity already hanging in the air. Temperatures hovered in the mid-60s at John Glenn Columbus International Airport as scattered showers slid through the metro. The heavier rain from earlier in the week has mostly moved on, but the bottom line for today is simple: grab the rain gear and expect a slower, sloppier afternoon on the roads.
Showers And Thunderstorms This Afternoon
Showers are likely before noon, with more widespread rain and thunderstorms expected to fire up this afternoon as temperatures climb toward a high near 76°F. South winds should run around 14 mph, with gusts up to 24 mph. The strongest cells could wring out a quarter to a half-inch of rain. According to the National Weather Service, brief heavy downpours may cut visibility and leave roads slick in a hurry.
Foggy Nights And Sticky Sunday
Showers and thunderstorms are likely to hang around into tonight before easing into patchy fog late, with overnight lows near 61°F. Sunday may start off with fog before 8 a.m., then gear up for yet another round of afternoon storms as the high pushes toward 79°F. For more background on this setup, see our same warm, muggy pattern.
Memorial Day And The Week Ahead
By Memorial Day, highs are expected to jump into the upper 70s to low 80s. A front stalled just south of the region should keep rain chances on the lower side for Monday and Tuesday, though it will still allow for afternoon storms to bubble up across southern Ohio and northern Kentucky. Mid-level ridging is forecast to build, favoring warmer daytime temperatures while still leaving room for those pop-up, late-day storms to develop. The National Weather Service advises keeping an eye on updated forecasts if you are planning outdoor events.
Plan For The Commute
Drivers should be ready for slick pavement and brief ponding in low-lying or poorly drained areas whenever the heavier showers roll through. Build in extra time if you are heading out this afternoon, slow down when visibility drops, and avoid plowing through standing water. Make sure your phone or weather radio is set to receive alerts in case any quick updates or warnings pop up. If you are organizing an outdoor get-together, it would be smart to have an indoor backup or start earlier in the day to dodge the most active storm window.
.jpg){kind=link}