The heat is on! Greater Columbus to sizzle Friday and Saturday with highs in the upper 80s
Break out the shorts, shades and sunscreen — the next two days in Columbus are expected to be hot.
The National Weather Service says the average high temperature in Columbus this time of year is 75 degrees. But the high in Ohio's capital city could climb to 89 both Friday and Saturday.
Meteorologists had been predicting highs of 91 for the next two days. For Friday, that would have tied a high-temperature record set more than a half-century ago. And on Saturday, it would have been just a degree short of the record set in 1941.
But the forecast for Columbus was revised early Friday morning to reflect the difference of two degrees.
Humidity, or the amount of moisture in the air, will be moderate.
Showers and thunderstorms Friday morning are expected to move on this afteand make way for partly sunny skies, according to the forecast. Saturday will likely be mostly sunny with a chance of thunderstorms.
Things are expected to cool off Saturday night and Sunday thanks to a cold front and Sunday's high will be near 79, with the potential for showers and thunderstorms.
In the meantime, here are a few ways to beat the heat this weekend. Most pools, splash pads and "spraygrounds" in and around Columbus aren't open yet, but there still are a few fun ways to stay cool.
Zoombezi Bay: The popular water park north of Columbus in Delaware County will open Saturday for a preview weekend, just in time for crowds looking to beat the heat. Located at 4850 Powell Road in the Powell area, the park boasts slides, funnels and other rides.
Alum Creek State Park Beach: The largest inland beach in the state park system at 3,000 feet, Alum Creek is more than a boater's paradise. It offers a swimming hole that's bigger than any pool in the city — and a sandy beach that's perfect for making castles. There's even a playground and, and if you feel like spending the night at the park's campground, a special, smaller beach just for you.
Go underground: Head to one of two cave systems within a short drive of Columbus.
At Olentangy Caverns near Delaware, tours take visitors as deep as 105 feet underground. As strange as it may sound, you might want to bring a jacket, as the temperature down there is a constant 54 degrees. For more information, call 740-548-7917 or visit olentangyindiancaverns.com.
The other option is Ohio Caverns, in West Liberty in Logan County. Call 937-465-4017 or visit ohiocaverns.com.
Monroe Trombly covers breaking and trending news.
mtrombly@dispatch.com
@MonroeTrombly
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Hot weather in the forecast for Friday, Saturday in Columbus
