Columbus kicked off Thursday, June 4, 2026, with crystal-clear skies and crisp air, hovering near 54°F at John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Sunshine is locked in for most of the day, with forecasters calling for a high around 86°F this afternoon and light southwest breezes. An Air Quality Alert is in effect through midnight for parts of central Ohio, so anyone with respiratory issues will want to take it easy outside.
Today And Tonight
Expect mostly sunny skies through the afternoon, a high near 86°F, and gentle southwest winds around 0 to 6 mph. Humidity stays on the modest side, which should keep the heat from feeling too oppressive for outdoor plans.
Tonight remains mostly clear, with temperatures slipping to about 62°F. Winds turn southerly and stay light, setting up a warmer and more humid feel heading into Friday.
Friday Into Early Weekend
Friday delivers a near-repeat performance: mostly sunny, warm, and a high close to 86°F. Southwest winds pick up a bit, generally in the 2 to 14 mph range. A weak disturbance could brush northwest counties late Friday night, although most of the Columbus metro is expected to stay dry through the day and evening.
By late Friday and into Saturday, the atmosphere will be drawing in more moisture, which helps prime the region for scattered storms on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Saturday Storm Risk
Shower and thunderstorm chances ramp up on Saturday, June 6, 2026. By afternoon and evening, widespread or numerous storms are likely, with the forecast suggesting about a 70% chance of storms during the day and an 80% chance Saturday night. Some storms could drop brief but heavy rainfall, with new rainfall totals in the quarter to half inch range. Stronger cells may bring gusts up to about 24 mph.
Outdoor events should be ready to pause activities and move people under shelter for short periods. According to the National Weather Service, the best chance for storms arrives Saturday night as a front sags into the region.
Sunday And Next Week
Sunday, June 7, 2026, still carries a decent shot at showers and thunderstorms, with probabilities around 40% and highs near 87°F as mid-level heights recover overhead. Monday and Tuesday, June 8 and 9, trend hotter, with highs in the upper 80s to around 90°F and only low-end chances for afternoon storms each day.
If you are planning outdoor time early next week, it is worth keeping an eye on the sky, since typical pop-up daytime storms remain possible.
Air Quality And Health
An Air Quality Alert remains in place through midnight tonight for portions of central Ohio. Active children, older adults, and people with respiratory or heart conditions should think about limiting long stretches of outdoor exertion. Simple strategies can help: stay indoors during the hottest hours, use air conditioning if you have it, and check local readings before long runs or strenuous outdoor work.
For the latest local air-quality forecasts and alerts, see MORPC.
Plan Ahead
If you are locking in weekend plans, build in some flexibility for Saturday afternoon and night. Have a quick-shelter option ready, such as a nearby building or vehicle. Checking updated forecasts before you head out, and shifting activities earlier on Saturday or into Sunday morning, can help you dodge the higher storm chances.
