Weather warning: Heat wave continues, isolated risk of storms in the Columbus area

FAST WEATHER FORECAST:

• Today: Hot, humid, isolated thunderstorms, high 95
• Tonight: Warm and humid, low 73
• Thursday: Hot, humid, isolated thunderstorms, high 96
• Friday: Hot and humid, high 97
• Saturday: Hot and humid, high 97
• Sunday: Thunderstorms in the early afternoon, humid, high 94

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Nice Wednesday!

Our heat wave continues in Central Ohio, with air temperatures remaining around 95 degrees, but feels like temperatures in the triple digits. This brings with it the risk of isolated afternoon/evening thunderstorms. Additionally, ozone production increases with extreme heat, putting our air quality in the “fair” category, which is unhealthy for extremely sensitive groups.

This intense heat, with heat indices in the triple digits, will continue for most of the weekend, but a cold front will approach on Sunday. This front will bring us isolated thunderstorms in the second half of the day. Finally, it will push temperatures back to normal levels for Monday, to around 30 degrees. It will also be much less humid.

However, there can be no talk of a really permanent “cooling down”, because on Tuesday the temperatures will again approach the 30 degree mark.

Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, wear light-colored clothing, and always pay attention to the sidewalk when walking your dog. If it’s too hot to leave your hand on it for 5 seconds, then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.

-McKenna