QUICK FORECAST:

• Today: Showers & storms, high 82
• Tonight: Scattered showers, low 67
• Friday: Rain & rumbles, high 80 (67)
• Saturday: Chance showers, high 78 (64)
• Sunday: Pop-up t-shower, high 79 (61)
• Monday: Rain chances building, high 78 (62)

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Good Thursday morning!

It’s another warm and calm start to the day for Central Ohio! However, changes are right around the corner as we head into the second half of the day.

A stationary front is set up just to our northwest. A solid line of showers & storms are riding along with that front, eyeing Central Ohio as the afternoon begins. Scattered showers & storms will remain steadier as the second half of the day goes on.

There is a 1/5 risk for strong to severe weather for Central Ohio today. The only outlined risk is a low chance for strong to damaging wind gusts. Aside from the severe risk, storms could produce heavy rain and frequent lightning into tonight.

We’re still watching a lot of moisture sticking around through Friday. Storms will be steadier for areas south of I-70. But, most of Central Ohio will have a chance for wet weather to end off the work week. The 1/5 risk remains for Friday, but shifts slightly southward.

The one upside to the incoming wet weather will be the relief of the wildfire haze and pollen levels. Near-surface smoke will be pushed eastward mostly throughout today. A final push comes Friday with the steady rain. Pollen will also remain at lower levels through the weekend.

Rain remains fairly spotty and isolated for the weekend. So, we’re still counting on some dry time for Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures remain level in the upper 70s, remaining just shy of seasonable for this time of year.

The chances for rain and storms ramp up going into Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures continue the gradual slip to the mid 70s by Tuesday. As we head into the middle of next week, skies begin to clear out and temperatures work their way back to 80 degrees.

-Joe