Columbus experienced a cloudy and rainy Easter Sunday, with the forecast showing a continuation of cloudy, rainy days with potential severe storms heading into the first week of April. Severe storms on Easter Sunday were predicted to bring damaging wind, hail, and potential tornadoes to the Midwest, with Ohio and nearby states at risk for hail and downpours that could impact travel. While tornadoes were not likely for Ohio, all modes of severe weather were possible in the region.
After Easter Sunday, the weather was expected to become more turbulent, with a 70% chance of rain and possible thunderstorms overnight. Monday was forecasted to bring more showers and thunderstorms, with new rainfall totaling a quarter to half an inch. Monday night was expected to bring more showers and thunderstorms, with new rainfall potentially totaling one to two inches. The Columbus Clippers’ home opener on Tuesday could also be affected by the rainy weather, with an 80% chance of rain forecasted.
The pattern of rain and possible thunderstorms was expected to continue into Tuesday, with slightly higher winds possible and another one-half to three quarters of an inch of rain predicted. Overnight Tuesday into early Wednesday could bring more thunderstorms before a chance of additional rainfall. Wednesday could see rain showers turning to snow flurries as temperatures drop, with the possibility of a rain and snow mix on Thursday morning as temperatures rise back up. By Friday, the weather was expected to be sunny with temperatures around 50 degrees.
Overall, the Columbus area could see more than two inches of new rainfall by Tuesday night, with the potential for over three inches with thunderstorms. Motorists were advised to be cautious of ponding and possible flooding on roadways, with streams and rivers around the area expected to rise into Wednesday. The weather forecast for Columbus in the coming days showed a mix of rain, thunderstorms, and even a possibility of snow showers, making for a wet and varied start to April.
