Columbus is heading into a hot, humid Friday, with mostly sunny skies giving way to a high near 92 degrees and a heat index around 102. A few showers and thunderstorms could pop up from late morning through the afternoon, so the forecast is serving up both heat and storm risk in one package.
Heat Peaks Before Friday Evening
The National Weather Service has a Heat Advisory in effect until 8 p.m. Friday, with afternoon heat index values expected to reach 100 to 105 degrees. Winds will stay light early before turning west at roughly 1 to 8 mph.
Storm chances begin around 10 a.m. and come and go through about 5 p.m., with a 30% chance of precipitation overall. Any storms that develop could bring gusty winds, brief heavy downpours and locally rough conditions for outdoor plans, though most of the day should remain dry.
Friday Night Keeps The Storm Risk Alive
The unsettled pattern does not immediately clock out after sunset. Showers and thunderstorms remain possible Friday night, with a 60% chance of rain and a low near 73 degrees before additional storms could linger toward Saturday morning.
Saturday Brings Storms Before A Cooler Turn
Saturday will be partly sunny with a high near 87, but scattered showers and thunderstorms may arrive before 8 a.m. and return later in the day. Rainfall could be locally heavy, with a risk of flash flooding.
Repeated thunderstorms could produce heavier pockets of rain, particularly where storms track over the same areas more than once. Saturday night turns noticeably cooler, with a low near 65 and only a slight chance of an evening shower or thunderstorm.
Sunday And Labor Day Forecast Details Are Limited
The available forecast details do not specify conditions for Sunday or Labor Day.
Later-Week Forecast Details Are Limited
The National Weather Service Wilmington, Ohio, forecast discussion retrieved on September 4, 2026, included an aviation outlook covering conditions from Friday through Tuesday, while full public forecast details for Wednesday and Thursday were not provided.
During Friday's hottest hours, residents should drink plenty of fluids, limit strenuous activity, seek air conditioning when possible and check on neighbors who may be especially vulnerable to heat. Anyone outdoors should also keep an eye on changing skies as storm chances increase through the day.
