Heavy rain, gusty winds, flooding and scorching heat possible this week, NWS says

Whatever you do, make sure you don't forget your raincoat over the next few days.

Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected to move through Columbus Wednesday through Friday, bringing heavy rain, wind gusts and localized flooding, according to a National Weather Service hazardous weather statement .

Not only will it be stormy, it'll also be hot; heat index values could get into the lower 100s on Thursday.

Possible tornado in Clinton County, Ohio under investigation

Officials in Clinton County, Ohio are spending Tuesday confirming whether a tornado touched down overnight. A powerful storm system pushed through southern Ohio between late Monday and early Tuesday morning bringing heavy rain, lightning and possible tornadoes.

Cincinnati meterologist Cameron Hardin tweeted at 1:53 a.m. that a tornado touched down near Midland, a town located about 50 miles northeast of Cincinnati.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has not confirmed that a tornado touched down, but said it will be doing storm assessments throughout Tuesday.

"We will continue to assess the scope of damage thru the morning hours. We will be in-contact with the appropriate emergency management personnel to determine if storm surveys are needed following the recent severe weather. Please share all damage reports with us! Thank you!"

Here's what to expect in the forecast for the remainder of the week around Columbus:

Columbus weather for the week of July 30, 2024

• Tuesday: There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m. It'll be cloudy then gradually become mostly sunny with a high near 87. The chance of precipitation is 40%. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected, but more could fall if it storms.
• Tuesday Night: It'll be mostly clear with a low around 70.
• Wednesday : There's a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers become likely and a thunderstorm is possible after 2 p.m. It'll be mostly sunny with a high near 90. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected, but more could fall if it storms.
• Wednesday Night Showers likely and a thunderstorm is possible before 8 p.m., then there's a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 p.m. It'll be partly cloudy with a low around 73. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch are possible.
• Thursday : There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 p.m., then showers are likely and a thunderstorm is possible between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms become likely after 5 p.m. It'll be mostly cloudy with a high near 93. The chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Thursday Night : Showers and thunderstorms are likely before 11 p.m., then showers are likely and a thunderstorm is possible between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., then there's a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. It'll be mostly cloudy with a low around 72. The chance of precipitation is 70%. Less than a tenth of an inch of rainfall is expected, but more could fall if it storms.
• Friday : There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers are likely and a thunderstorm is possible after 2 p.m. It'll be partly sunny with a high near 88. The chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Friday Night : Showers are likely and a thunderstorm is possible before 8 p.m., then there's a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 p.m. It'll be mostly cloudy with a low around 70. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Saturday : There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers are likely and a thunderstorm is possible after 2 p.m. It'll be partly sunny with a high near 86. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Saturday Night Showers are likely before 8 p.m. It'll be partly cloudy with a low around 68. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Sunday : It'll be sunny with a high near 90.
• Sunday Night : It'll be mostly clear with a low around 66.

NHart@dispatch.com

@NathanRHart

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Heavy rain, gusty winds, flooding and scorching heat possible this week, NWS says