Heat wave settles in, isolated afternoon storms

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather

An air quality alert was in effect for Franklin, Delaware, Licking and Fairfield counties until 10 p.m. for rising ground-level ozone levels. The greatest risks during such an alert affect the elderly, active children, and people with respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD.

An excessive heat watch is in effect Monday through Friday for all of Ohio. The humidity will be on the rise, pushing the heat index to near or slightly above 100 degrees, making for potentially dangerous conditions if you are not properly hydrated.

High pressure in the Northeast provided sunshine and a light southerly breeze, with low humidity for one more day. Afternoon temperatures hit 90 degrees in Columbus. Skies will turn partly cloudy tonight, with morning readings in the upper 60s.

Summer heat will arrive this week with an expanding heat dome centered in the Southeast.

Rain chances will be limited to isolated pop-up thunderstorms over the next few days. Any storms will be slow-moving in light winds aloft and capable of some downpours, with a very humid air mass.

High temperatures will reach the mid- to upper 90s into next weekend, under blazing sunshine and scattered clouds.

Forecast

• Tonight: Patchy clouds. Low 69
• Monday: Partly sunny, hot, sticky, isolated p.m. storms. High 94
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, hot, stray storm p.m. High 95 (74)
• Wednesday: Partly cloudy, hot, stray storm. High 96 (75)
• Thursday: Sunny, hot. High 97 (74)
• Friday: Sunny, hot. High 97 (73)
• Saturday: Partly sunny, scattered storms. High 94 (75)

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