Slow-moving rain is expected to cover much of Ohio on Friday, including the Columbus area.
These rain clouds could drop 1 to 2 inches of rain per hour in some locations and could cause flash flooding in urban areas and low-lying areas, according to a briefing from forecasters at NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center. The National Weather Service in Wilmington tweeted shortly after 5:30 p.m. that funnel clouds were possible.
Forecasters specifically predicted heavy rain near and north of Interstate 70, which runs through downtown Columbus.
A severe thunderstorm hit central Ohio Thursday night, knocking out power to thousands and packing winds of up to 60 mph. More winds and storms are forecast for the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
At the height of the crisis, 12,000 people were without power in southeast Columbus overnight. That number dropped to about 3,000 by Friday morning.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to “increase in coverage” this afternoon and continue into the evening before diminishing overnight, according to a hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
Related article:Ohio State Fair Forecast: Rainy Start, But Clear Conditions Likely for Weekend
High winds and localized flooding from heavy rains are the main risks from the storms, but high winds could be possible if any of the storms become severe, according to the weather forecast. Between a tenth and a quarter inch of rain is expected throughout the day Friday.
Dublin Irish Festival temporarily suspended due to lightning
Friday’s storms and potential heavy rain could impact the first day of the Dublin Irish Festival, an annual Irish cultural festival that regularly attracts more than 100,000 visitors.
The festival tweeted shortly after 6 p.m. that the approaching storm posed a potential hazard and asked attendees to evacuate. The gates reopened at 7 p.m. once the worst of the storm had passed. But that didn’t stop revelers, according to Madi Kregel, public information officer for the city of Dublin.
“Festival-goers continued the party with dancing and music in shelters around town,” Kreger said in an email.
Organizers said earlier Friday that they will alert visitors via the festival app and at each stop. Volunteers and event staff will also provide weather information.
The festival has three shelters in case of bad weather, namely:
- Dublin Development Building, 5200 Emerald Parkway
- Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road
- Coffman High School Dublin, 6780 Coffman Road
Festival-goers can also use the Coffman Park Pavilion as a rain shelter or one of the festival’s many tents. The pavilion and tents are for rain only, not lightning, tornadoes or high winds, according to the festival’s website.
Thunderstorms could continue through Saturday and affect Pelotonia
Pelotonia’s grand opening is set to begin Friday night downtown, with the cancer fundraiser set to begin late in the afternoon at McFerson Commons and North Bank Park.
While the storms could ease overnight Friday, they could continue Saturday, Pelotonia’s main bike day of the weekend. Saturday’s weather won’t be as devastating; the NWS says there’s a low probability of dangerous weather then.
The ride will likely continue even if it rains, The Dispatch previously reported.
Here’s a detailed forecast from NWS Wilmington so you can prepare your weekend plans.
Columbus Weather for the Week of August 2, 2024
- Friday:There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., then showers are likely and a thunderstorm is possible between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms are likely after 5 p.m. Skies will be mostly cloudy with a high near 87. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain is expected, but more could fall in the event of a thunderstorm.
- This evening:Showers and thunderstorms are likely, especially before 9 p.m. There will be fog in places after 4 a.m. Otherwise, the sky will be mostly cloudy with a low of about 69 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected, but more could fall in a thunderstorm.
- SATURDAY:There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly between 11am and 5pm. There will be fog in places before 8am. Otherwise, it will be partly sunny with a high near 86. The chance of precipitation is 40%. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected, but more could fall in the event of a thunderstorm.
- Saturday night:The weather will be mostly clear with a low of around 67.
- Sunday:It will be nice with a high around 91.
- Sunday night:The weather will be mostly clear with a low of around 68.
- Monday:It will be mostly sunny with a high around 91.
- Monday evening:It will be partly cloudy with a low of around 69.
- Tuesday:There is a risk of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Otherwise, the weather will be mostly sunny with a maximum temperature around 92 °C. The probability of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday evening:There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. The sky will be partly cloudy with a low of around 69. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday:It will be mostly sunny with a high temperature around 85.
- Wednesday evening:It will be partly cloudy with a low of around 63.
- THURSDAY:It will be mostly sunny with a maximum temperature around 84.
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