Severe weather moves through Columbus area; golf ball-sized hail possible north of I-70

Dean Narciso, The Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·2 min read

On a one-to-five scale of severe weather happening tonight, Columbus is in the middle, with an enhanced risk of golf ball-sized hail, damaging winds and heavy rain.

But the chance of angry skies Thursday afternoon is much greater north and west of the city, according to the National Weather Service.

A tornado warning was issued for Champaign, Logan and Union counties until at least 8:30 p.m. Radar spotted rotation near Marysville just after 8 p.m. Those storms were headed east toward western Delaware County, where winds up to 80 mph were forecast for areas near Powell and to the north, according to the weather service.

A tornado warning is issued when there is imminent danger and a tornado was spotted. A watch indicates that tornadoes are possible within an area.

The weather service based in Wilmington cautions that Thursday's high heat and humidity are fueling the fast-developing storms. And they're unpredictable. The likelihood of 2-inch hail is possible but more likely north of Interstate 70.

The expected arrival time of storms is between 6 and 9 p.m., with storms hitting areas north and west of the city, including Union and Madison counties, between 3 and 6 p.m. Franklin County is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m.

Check Columbus area power outages

Ohio weather radar

What's the difference between a watch and a warning?

According to the National Weather Service:

  • A watch "is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so. A watch means that hazardous weather is possible."

  • A warning "is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action."

dnarciso@dispatch.com

@DeanNarciso

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Severe weather hits Columbus, Ohio. Check radar for central Ohio