Columbus is starting today in full summer mode. At 5:35 a.m. EDT today, John Glenn Columbus International was already reporting cloudy, muggy conditions around 70°F with a dew point near 70°F, and patchy fog trimming visibility in spots. A few slow-moving showers are lingering over central Ohio, but most neighborhoods will only see brief, light rainfall. Skies should break for some sun later today with highs near 87°F, before a much hotter and more oppressive stretch settles in tomorrow.
Morning Fog And Slow Showers
A stalled frontal boundary working with very moist low-level air is behind this morning's fog and sluggish showers across central Ohio, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. Some locations could see visibility cut to around a mile. Rainfall totals are expected to stay light, generally under a tenth of an inch.
Commute Impacts And Airports
Drivers should be ready for patchy low visibility on surface streets during the early commute, where fog develops, along with a few briefly slick stretches under slow-moving cells. John Glenn (KCMH) and Rickenbacker (KLCK) may deal with periods of low clouds and temporary visibility restrictions this morning before conditions improve later today.
Heat Builds Monday Through Thursday
The flip to full-on heat arrives tomorrow, when temperatures jump to a high near 92°F and heat index values push close to 100°F. Tuesday through Thursday, June 30 through July 2, look even hotter, with afternoon highs in the mid to upper 90s. Overnight lows in the low to mid 70s will offer little break from the heat, which ramps up stress on older adults, young children, and anyone with health issues. The National Weather Service notes that Heat Advisory criteria could be met for parts of central Ohio as early as tomorrow.
Cooling Centers And Safety Tips
Columbus Recreation and Parks has historically opened regional community centers as cooling centers during extreme heat, and if the city activates that option again, usual sites include Dodge Community Center at 667 Sullivant Ave. and Driving Park Community Center at 1100 Rhoads Ave. You can confirm any openings and hours on the department's site at Columbus Recreation and Parks. Residents are urged to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the afternoon, and check on older or medically vulnerable neighbors.
Short-Term Outlook
Friday and the Independence Day window on July 3 and 4 look more unsettled, with a growing chance for showers and thunderstorms and slightly lower temperatures during the holiday weekend. For now, plan on early next week as the period of greatest heat risk and schedule outdoor plans accordingly.
This page will be updated if heat headlines are issued for central Ohio. For the most current advisories and watches, keep an eye on the National Weather Service and announcements from local officials.
