Columbus woke up in a wall of humidity and patchy fog, and the city is heading straight for a scorch-fest this afternoon. Temperatures are expected to top out around 97°F today, July 15, with heat index values near 102°F. That combo has triggered an official Heat Advisory for the area.
Afternoon Heat And The Advisory
Skies stay mostly sunny with light west winds helping push highs into the mid to upper 90s. The most dangerous heat will run from midday through early evening. The Heat Advisory is in effect from noon to 8 p.m., and residents are urged to limit outdoor exertion during the hottest part of the day and drink plenty of water, according to the National Weather Service.
Ozone And Air Quality
On top of the heat, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has called an Air Quality Alert for central Ohio through this evening, with ozone levels expected to approach unhealthy territory for people in sensitive groups. If you have asthma or heart disease, officials say to cut back on long or intense outdoor activity. To help keep pollution in check, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission also recommends reducing driving and waiting until after 8 p.m. to refuel.
Transit, Cooling, And The Weekend
The Central Ohio Transit Authority typically waives fares on days when heat advisories are in effect to help riders reach cooling centers, and the city has a network of libraries and community centers available for relief. If you need help finding a nearby cooling site, you can call 311. Looking ahead, showers and thunderstorms are likely to move back in Friday into the weekend, with a 60% chance on Friday and pockets of locally heavy rain that could briefly disrupt outdoor plans. For more on how this stretch of weather began, check out our brutal weeklong heat wave coverage.
What To Do Now
For today, the basics still matter most: stay hydrated, avoid outdoor exercise between noon and 6 p.m., and check in on elderly neighbors or anyone without reliable air conditioning. If someone shows signs such as confusion, fainting, or very hot, dry skin, seek medical help right away.
