Fog and low clouds settled over Columbus early today, July 21, keeping temperatures in the low 70s at John Glenn Columbus International Airport and trimming visibility on some local roads. The quiet start will not last: showers and thunderstorms are expected to fire up by mid-to-late morning and spread out through the afternoon and evening. Some storms could pack heavy downpours and damaging gusts, and a Flood Watch remains in effect for parts of the metro.
Afternoon Storms And Flood Watch
The National Weather Service is calling for a chance of showers and thunderstorms between about 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., with more widespread storms likely from roughly 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and another round of redevelopment into the evening. Forecasters say the strongest cells could drop around 0.75 to 1 inch of rain and kick up gusts to about 25 mph, enough to trigger localized flash flooding and knock down smaller branches. The higher severe storm risk is focused mainly southeast of I-71, although scattered strong winds and heavy rain are on the table across much of the metro.
Commute And Safety
Drivers should plan on slower going this afternoon, as heavy rain will cut visibility and ponding could make some low-lying streets impassable. Avoid driving through standing water, turn around, do not drown, and bring unsecured outdoor items inside before the gusty winds arrive. For background on neighborhoods that flood more often, see how soaking storms put the city under flood watch in late June.
Cooler Weather Wednesday
High pressure is set to build in behind the front, ushering in a cooler, drier stretch for midweek. Highs tomorrow should top out in the mid 70s, with lower humidity and calmer winds offering a noticeably nicer commute after the wet spell. Keep an eye on updates later today in case any Flash Flood Warnings or severe storm warnings are issued for your neighborhood.
