Ohio wakes up under a gray sky with damp air and a steady chill, setting the tone for a day that quickly turns unsettled. Roads already feel slick in spots, and conditions are expected to deteriorate as rain spreads in.
According to the National Weather Service, showers and isolated thunderstorms will develop across Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, and Grove City before noon, with rain chances peaking near 80% between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is when I-70 and I-71 will see the greatest travel impact, as wet pavement and bursts of heavier rain reduce visibility and increase stopping distance. Low-lying roadways and drainage-prone intersections could see brief water buildup within minutes.
This is part of a broader system pushing east from the Lower Mississippi Valley, bringing widespread moisture and below-average temperatures into the Ohio Valley. Highs today will only reach near 57°F, keeping conditions cool and damp through the afternoon.
Rain tapers later in the day, but cooler air settles in quickly tonight. Temperatures drop into the upper 30s, setting up a secondary concern into the weekend.
Frost becomes the bigger story late Saturday night into early Sunday, when temperatures dip into the mid-30s across Columbus and surrounding areas. Rural and low-lying spots are most at risk, where frost could form quickly and damage sensitive plants.
Conditions improve Sunday afternoon with sunshine and highs near 62°F, followed by a warming trend into the 70s by Monday. Early next week brings additional rain chances, but also signals a gradual shift toward warmer spring weather.
Plan for slower travel through this afternoon’s peak rain window and prepare to protect plants ahead of the frost risk early Sunday morning.
