Scattered storms with hail and gusty winds are expected across Central Ohio today
Central Ohio is off to an unsettled start today, with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms developing through the late morning and intensifying into the afternoon, bringing with them the risk of hail and gusty winds for Columbus and surrounding communities. The stormy conditions have already disrupted at least one major event, with the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure 5K forced to cut its course short and evacuate participants before mid-morning.
What to expect as today’s storms develop
Rain showers are expected to arrive later in the morning, with storm activity building through the afternoon hours. The stronger cells carry the primary hazards: large hail and gusty winds. Forecasters have placed the area under a marginal risk designation, the lowest level on a five-tier severe weather scale, indicating that while widespread severe conditions are not expected, individual storms have the potential to produce significant impacts in isolated locations.
Temperatures will climb into the upper 70s this afternoon, with that warming helping fuel additional storm development before conditions gradually ease into the evening. By tonight, showers and storm activity will begin to taper off, and overnight lows will settle into the low 60s. Patchy fog is possible in the most humid pockets as winds become very light heading into Sunday morning.
The Komen Columbus Race for the Cure was cut short by storms
The stormy morning had real consequences for hundreds of runners downtown. The Komen Columbus Race for the Cure 5K was reduced from its full course to just a mile after an approaching band of thunderstorms prompted officials to act. Runners who had not yet reached Spring Street were directed to turn around and return to the finish line, less than 45 minutes after the race had started.
The course officially closed and the event was evacuated around 9:30 a.m., with National Weather Service radar out of Wilmington showing a band of thunderstorms moving toward the Columbus area around the time the decision was made.
How the week unfolds from here
Sunday brings warmer and mostly quieter conditions, with just a small chance for an isolated shower. Temperatures will rise to the mid-80s, and most of Central Ohio should see a noticeable improvement compared to today. The day will not be fully clear, but it will be far more manageable.
Monday opens the workweek with mostly sunny skies and dry conditions, and temperatures pushing into the low 90s for the first significant surge of summer-like heat this year. The warmth carries into Tuesday, when highs again reach the low 90s before the threat of scattered rain and thunderstorms returns Tuesday afternoon and evening.
A cold front is expected to push through the region on Wednesday, bringing another round of rain and storms before the pattern settles. By the end of the week, conditions turn dry and comfortable, with temperatures easing back to the low to mid-70s. That calmer stretch will be a welcome contrast after a week that opens with storm risks, surges into early summer heat and then resets entirely before the next weekend arrives.
Residents should monitor local radar and weather alerts throughout today as the timing and coverage of the storm activity continues to evolve.