Today started off steamy in Columbus, with mostly clear skies, muggy air, and temperatures hovering near 75°F before sunrise, along with a light southerly breeze. The high is expected to top out around 87°F, and while a few scattered showers may pop up this morning, the real trouble arrives by mid‑afternoon and into the evening as thunderstorms build in. Localized heavy downpours could quickly swamp low spots, trigger brief urban flooding, and cut visibility for the evening commute.
Afternoon Storms And Flood Risk
Scattered showers are on the table through the morning, but the prime window for more organized storms runs from mid‑afternoon through tonight, when storms become more widespread and locally heavy. The National Weather Service in Wilmington has a Flood Watch in effect through late tomorrow night and notes that pockets of heavier rain could drop about 0.25 to 0.5 inches in some areas overnight. Stronger cells may bring gusty, shifting winds along with sudden reductions in visibility where the rain comes down hardest.
Where To Expect The Worst
The highest odds for storm clusters this afternoon line up from west‑central into central Ohio, generally near and north of I‑70, which puts Columbus right in the target zone. If you have outdoor plans later today or tonight, build in a Plan B and expect weather interruptions. For more background on the ongoing Flood Watch and how this soggy pattern set up, check out our recent storm trends.
Weekend And Next Week
A frontal boundary slipping south tomorrow will keep the chance of showers and thunderstorms going in tomorrow evening, and a few more pockets of heavy rain are possible before the pattern finally breaks. After that, a drier and warmer stretch takes hold next week, with highs climbing into the upper 80s and low 90s by Tuesday and Wednesday, so this wet spell should be relatively short‑lived.
What To Do
Keep an umbrella handy, and be ready to move outdoor activities inside if storms start to build. Never drive through flooded roads, since even shallow water can stall a vehicle. Sign up for county alert systems, keep an eye on radar and forecast updates, and allow extra travel time during any heavier downpours tonight.
.jpg){kind=link}