NWS: Powerful storm system headed to Columbus is intensifying

A storm system that could hit Columbus late Wednesday is strengthening over Indiana and Kentucky, prompting severe thunderstorm watches south of Ohio, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

A mesoscale convective system (MCS) is a cluster of thunderstorms that form together and could persist for hours or more, according to the National Weather Service .

A few hours of sunshine during the day could stabilize the storm system, allowing it to persist into NWS Wilmington's coverage area, which includes central and southwest Ohio. The storm's main threat will be damaging winds, according to an NWS forecaster discussion .

Other bands of storms could linger overnight, the forecasters said.

Here's what you can expect weather-wise for the rest of the week.

Columbus weather for the week of July 31, 2024

• Tonight : There's a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly after 10 p.m. It'll be partly cloudy with a low around 72. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected, but more could fall if it storms.
• Thursday : There's an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms then showers and a thunderstorm are possible after 2 p.m. The high will be near 91 with heat index values as high as 101. Rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are expected but it could be higher if it storms.
• Thursday night : There's an 80% chance for showers and thunderstorms to continue into the night between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. The low will be around 73. Expect a quarter to a half inch of rain.
• Friday : There's a 70% 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 are likely after 5 p.m. It'll be partly sunny with a high near 89. Between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain is expected, with more possible if it storms.
• Friday night : Showers and thunderstorms are likely before 11 p.m., then showers 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 70. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain is expected, with more possible if it storms.
• Saturday : There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers are likely and a thunderstorm is possible after 8 a.m. It'll be partly sunny with a high near 84. The chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Saturday night : It'll be partly cloudy with a low around 69.
• Sunday : It'll be sunny with a high near 89.
• Sunday night : It'll be mostly clear with a low around 67.

NHart@dispatch.com

@NathanRHart

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: NWS: Powerful storm system headed to Columbus is intensifying