Columbus rolled into Friday, May 1, 2026 under gray skies and a spring chill, with temperatures hovering near 43°F around 5:40 a.m. EDT and a soggy commute on the way. Showers are expected before 8 a.m., with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing from late morning into early afternoon as highs crawl toward about 57°F.
Morning Commute And Storm Timing
Rain is most likely before 8 a.m., followed by a stretch of showers and scattered thunderstorms from roughly 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the most widespread activity north of I-70. Southwest winds should blow around 5 to 13 mph, and most neighborhoods will only see brief downpours with totals under a tenth of an inch. A few stronger cells could produce rumbles of thunder and pockets of small hail, according to the National Weather Service Wilmington.
Frost Advisory Overnight
Skies are expected to clear and winds to relax tonight, which will let temperatures drop enough for frost to form. A Frost Advisory is in effect from midnight tonight until about 2 a.m. Saturday, May 2, for parts of west-central Ohio and the Miami Valley. Gardeners should protect tender plants, bring potted containers inside, and cover vulnerable beds, especially in low-lying yards and tucked-away corners. The advisory could be expanded or upgraded if clearing happens earlier or winds calm more than forecast, per the National Weather Service Wilmington.
Weekend Outlook
Cool air sticks around through the weekend. Saturday should bring mostly sunny skies with a high near 55°F, followed by another chilly night with lows in the mid 30s and pockets of frost possible early Sunday. Temperatures are expected to rebound into the low 70s by Monday, with more chances for showers and thunderstorms returning early next week. For some recent local context on the back-and-forth pattern, see how Columbus shivers under frost alerts before spring heat cranks up.
What To Do
If you have tender plants, move them indoors or cover them before midnight tonight so the frost does not undo all your spring gardening. Take it slow on wet roads this morning, and keep weather alerts turned on in case any stronger thunderstorms pop up, even though most are expected to be brief.
