Air quality warning issued for Columbus on Thursday due to ongoing heat wave

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission issued an air quality warning for parts of central Ohio starting at 6 a.m. Thursday.

The warning issued Wednesday afternoon covers Delaware, Franklin, Licking and Fairfield counties, as well as the cities of Delaware, Downtown Columbus, Newark, Lancaster and Pickerington.

The warning came against a backdrop of sweltering temperatures across the Buckeye State, with most of Ohio already under a heat advisory for four days that was supposed to expire on Friday but has now been extended through Saturday.

The high temperature on Wednesday in Columbus is expected to reach 94 degrees. At 2 p.m., the temperature was 87 degrees, but the heat index — which combines air temperature and relative humidity — was 93. There is also a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

If you’re working or lucky enough to have Juneteenth off, there are several ways to cool off in Columbus, such as attending events at the Gateway Film Center or the Center of Science and Industry. Some of the local parks also have wading pools that the city has opened.

Although the heat has been unbearable, things will improve a bit early next week so you can put away the hand fans. However, Friday and Saturday are still expected to be dangerously hot.

When will this heat wave subside?

The National Weather Service in Wilmington says we’ll see a cold front move in starting Sunday night, with temperatures in the mid-90s across most of the region, although heat indices will be in the lower 90s, but that may change as thunderstorms are forecast. Monday will be noticeably cooler, with temperatures in the mid to upper 80s.

According to the NWS, temperatures will rise again to around 90 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the heat index will not exceed 100 degrees.

Air quality warning in addition to oppressive heat for Columbus

According to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission warning, ozone levels in Delaware, Franklin, Licking and Fairfield counties may cause respiratory problems in sensitive populations. These populations include people with lung cancer, asthma and older adults.

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