Columbus is starting Thursday, October 15, under cloudy skies and temperatures near 57 degrees. The city could warm to about 73 degrees, but a brief shower chance and nighttime thunderstorms will give the unusually mild day a rougher finish.
Thursday Stays Warm, But Storms Arrive After Dark
A slight chance of rain showers is forecast between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with mostly cloudy skies holding through the afternoon. The National Weather Service says showers and thunderstorms become more likely Thursday evening, especially between 8 and 11 p.m.
South winds could gust up to 23 mph Thursday night as temperatures remain mild, with a low around 66. Forecasters also note a low-end threat for damaging wind gusts and localized flooding if storms repeatedly move over the same areas, so drivers should avoid water-covered roads and bring in loose outdoor items before the evening weather arrives.
Friday Brings Wind, Rain And A Sharp Cooldown
Friday, October 16, will feel noticeably different, with rain showers likely, a high near 68 and west winds around 15 mph. Gusts could reach 25 mph during the day, while additional showers may linger into Friday night.
Temperatures then fall to around 43 degrees Friday night as northwest winds continue gusting up to 28 mph. The combination of rain, wind and falling temperatures could make the Friday commute feel colder than the thermometer suggests.
Weekend Frost Risk Arrives
Saturday turns mostly sunny but much cooler, with a high near 54 and north winds between 10 and 14 mph. Skies clear Saturday night as temperatures drop to about 36 degrees.
Areas of frost are possible before 9 a.m. Sunday, October 18, especially in colder spots around the Columbus area. After that chilly start, sunshine should push temperatures near 60 degrees.
Next Week Looks Calmer
The forecast settles down Monday through Wednesday, with sunny or mostly sunny skies and highs from 66 to 68 degrees. Overnight lows should stay near 43 degrees, making Thursday's warm, stormy setup look like a short-lived detour before a crisp weekend and a milder start to next week.
