Columbus is getting a deceptively calm start today, with clear skies and temperatures in the upper 60s before thunderstorms take over the afternoon forecast. The city could reach around 80 degrees, but outdoor plans may run into lightning, heavy downpours and gusty winds later in the day.
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms begins around 11 a.m. to noon, then storm coverage is expected to increase through the afternoon. The National Weather Service in Wilmington says no weather alerts are currently posted for Ohio, though a few storms could become strong.
Storms Build Into Saturday Afternoon
The most unsettled stretch is expected roughly from 2 p.m. through 5 p.m., when the chance of rain rises as high as 80%. Brief heavy downpours are possible, with most locations picking up about a tenth to a quarter-inch of rain.
Southwest winds will run around 1 to 10 mph before shifting west behind the front, with gusts near 20 mph possible later in the afternoon. The strongest storms are more likely across eastern parts of the region, where damaging winds would be the main concern, and hail cannot be ruled out.
This evening keeps a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then skies turn partly cloudy. Temperatures should fall to around 61 degrees overnight as cooler air moves in.
Cooler, Calmer Weather Takes Over Sunday
Tomorrow looks mostly sunny with a high near 75 degrees, although a slight chance of showers or thunderstorms returns after 3 p.m. Tomorrow night should be mostly clear and noticeably cooler, with a low near 56.
Monday brings sunny skies and a high around 73, followed by another sunny 77-degree day Tuesday. Wednesday should be mostly sunny near 80, while Thursday and Friday warm back into the lower 80s, Thursday afternoon and evening carry the next notable chance of thunderstorms.
