3,000 Ohioans still without power as more heavy winds and storms in Friday's forecast
A severe thunderstorm moved through central Ohio Thursday night, knocking out power for thousands with wind gusts up to 60 mph. More wind and storms are in the National Weather Service's weekend forecast.
At its peak, 12,000 people were without power in southeast Columbus overnight. That number's dropped to around 3,000 Friday morning.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to "increase in coverage" this afternoon and continue into the evening before diminishing overnight, according to a hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
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Gusty winds and localized flooding caused by heavy rainfall are the storms' primary risks, but damaging winds could be possible if any of the storms become severe, according to the weather outlook. Between a tenth and a quarter inch of rain is expected during the day Friday.
Stormy Friday forecasted as Dublin Irish Festival begins
Friday's storms and potential heavy rainfall could impact the first day of the Dublin Irish Festival, an annual Irish cultural festival that regularly attracts over 100,000 visitors.
If storms become severe during the festival, organizers will alert visitors via the festival's app and at each stage. Volunteers and event staff will also provide updates on the weather.
The festival has three shelters for severe weather, they are:
Dublin Development Building, 5200 Emerald Parkway
Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road
Dublin Coffman High School, 6780 Coffman Road
Festival goers can also use the Coffman Park Pavilion as a shelter against the rain or any of the festival's many tents. The pavilion and the tents are for rain only and not for lightning, tornadoes or high winds, according to the festival's website.
Storms could continue into Saturday, affect Pelotonia
While the storms may diminish overnight Friday, they may continue into Saturday, the first day of Pelotonia's bike weekend. Saturday's weather won't be as damaging; the NWS says there's a low probability of hazardous weather then.
The race will likely continue even if it rains, The Dispatch previously reported.
Here's a detailed forecast from NWS Wilmington so you can prepare your weekend plans.
Columbus weather for the week of August 2, 2024
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. It'll be mostly cloudy with a high near 87. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Between a tenth and a quarter inch of rain is expected, but more could fall if it storms.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly before 9 p.m. There will be patchy fog after 4 a.m. Otherwise, it'll be mostly cloudy with a low around 69. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected, but more could fall if it storms.
Saturday: There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. There will be patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise it'll be partly sunny with a high near 86. The chance of precipitation is 40%. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected, but more could fall if it storms.
Saturday Night: It'll be mostly clear with a low around 67.
Sunday: It'll be sunny with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: It'll be mostly clear with a low around 68.
Monday: It'll be mostly sunny with a high near 91.
Monday Night: It'll be partly cloudy with a low around 69.
Tuesday: There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Otherwise, it'll be mostly sunny with a high near 92. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. It'll be partly cloudy with a low around 69. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday: It'll be mostly sunny with a high near 85.
Wednesday Night: It'll be partly cloudy with a low around 63.
Thursday: It'll be mostly sunny with a high near 84.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Thousands of Ohioans without power as wind and storms in Aug. 2 forecast
