NWS: Storm system misses Columbus Wednesday, storms still possible Thursday

While a strong storm system missed Columbus on Wednesday, strong to severe storms are still expected to move through the area Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

NWS Wilmington issued a hazardous weather outlook for Columbus and surrounding counties early Thursday morning, warning of strong to severe storms that have a higher chance of forming as the day goes on.

The main threat from these storms will be damaging winds but isolated large hail and flooding caused by heavy rainfall is possible, according to the hazardous weather outlook.

The heat index will also peak around 95 to 100 degrees this afternoon as humidity continues to swamp the area.

Forecasters initially saw a strengthening storm roaring toward Ohio from the west Wednesday. It missed central Ohio but did affect some of southern Ohio, according to radar .

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

Columbus weather for the week of August 1, 2024

• Thursday : It'll be mostly sunny with a high near 92.
• Thursday night : There's a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then showers likely and a thunderstorm is possible between 8 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 60% and rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.
• Friday : There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., then showers are likely and a thunderstorm is possible between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms are likely after 5 p.m. Otherwise, it'll be partly sunny with a high near 89. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain is expected, but more could fall 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 quarter and a half inch of rain is expected.
• 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 mostly cloudy with a high near 84. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Between a quarter and a half inch of rain is expected.
• Saturday night : There's a slight chance of showers before 2 a.m. It'll be partly cloudy with a low around 67. The chance of precipitation is 20%
• Sunday : It'll be sunny with a high near 90.
• Sunday night : It'll be mostly clear with a low around 68.

NHart@dispatch.com

@NathanRHart

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: NWS: Storm system misses Columbus Wednesday, storms still possible Thursday