WEATHER ALERT DAY: Strong to severe storms expected for Columbus area
QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:
- Tonight: Chance of showers and storms, some strong, low 55
- Tuesday: Morning storms, afternoon to evening severe storms, high 70
- Wednesday: Rain showers, breezy, colder, high 48
- Thursday: AM wintry mix to cold rain showers, high 44
- Friday: Early am shower, partly sunny, chilly, high 45
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
Good Monday Evening,
We will have a chance of showers and storms returning to our forecast area this evening. The threats associated with the storms will mainly be strong winds and hail overnight tonight. Along with the threat of additional heavy rain and flooding after this morning's heavy rains. Overnight temps will only fall a few degrees into the lower to middle 50s to upper 40s north.
Tuesday is going to be a day where you MUST be weather alert. We will have morning showers and storms in our area, with the best chance of strong storms in the morning mainly south of I-70, with hail and strong damaging winds possible. With heavy rains expected too, especially in the southern half of the state. The concern for the strongest/severe storms will move in during the afternoon to evening hours on Tuesday.
In fact, the Storm Prediction Center has our entire area under a "moderate risk" (level 4/5) for the first time in nearly 2 years, and have a 15% (w/ risk for severe EF2-EF5) tornadoes in most of our area. This 15% risk is the highest in more than a decade in our area. With the low expected to drive to our west/northwest, there will be plenty of ingredients in place for severe weather outbreak later in the day.
Initially, expect isolated strong/severe storms to pop-up by mid-afternoon, around the time the kiddos get off the bus. The main threats with these storms would be hail, strong winds, and frequent lightning, with an isolated tornado. As we head into the late afternoon to evening hours ahead of sunset, a line of storms looks to develop, with the strongest/most severe storms & tornadoes possible in this time.
It is important to note, that our entire area shares this risk on Tuesday, so it is a good idea to have a plan tonight of where you will go if storms turn severe. Let your kids/family know where the safe space is if the sirens sound, and make sure your phone/weather radios are charged, and audible tomorrow.
Behind this system, much colder air will work in for the rest of the week. The good news is, this will get rid of our storm/severe threat, but will keep cold rain showers, winds, and possible wet snow showers mixed in too. Wednesday will have scattered showers, and highs only in the upper 40s. Thursday will see a wet wintry mix in the morning to cold rain showers in the afternoon, highs will only be in the low to mid 40s.
Friday will be another cool day with morning showers ending, and partly sunny skies, and highs only in the middle 40s. The weekend should see clearing skies, with temps still running on the cool side on Saturday in the lower 50s. Sunshine should bring us closer to normal on Sunday with highs in the upper 50s.
As of right now, it looks like we will have a mix of clouds on Monday with more clouds expected late in the day on Monday. This means we should have a view of the eclipse on Monday if everything stays on track. Highs on Monday will top in the lower 60s.
-Dave