Flood watch issued for Columbus, central Ohio. See where NWS says thunderstorms will strike
The watch begins at 1 p.m. July 20 and remains in effect until Monday morning, July 21. The watch includes downtown Columbus, Pickerington, Chillicothe, Springfield, Dayton, Lancaster, Cincinnati and some parts of eastern Indiana.
Strong thunderstorms were moving east through Indiana as of noon, July 20, and thunderstorms and showers were expected to begin in Franklin County sometime after 3 p.m., the NWS said. Some of those storms could see heavy rainfall.
'Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, stream, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,' according to the forecast. 'Multiple rounds of thunderstorms will move across the watch area leading to the potential for flash flooding.'
NWS meteorologist John Franks said people who live near creeks and streams are currently at greater risk of flooding as they are still swollen from rainfall in recent days. Smaller storms that hang over the region, dumping a lot of rain over a short period, creates a risk.
'The amount of moisture and structure of the storms is similar to what we've been looking at,' he said. 'It's going to depend on how it evolves and everything else. But the potential is there. The system is set up and ripe for tremendous rainfall rates if they get caught over a particular area.
'Creeks and streams are still high, so we're keeping an eye on that.'
The forecast calls for showers to continue between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. July 21 with a slight chance of thunderstorms after 2 p.m.
Central Ohio live weather radar
Columbus forecast for week of July 21, 2025
The National Weather Service in Wilmington issued the following forecast in Columbus for the week of July 21, 2025.
Monday, July 21: A 30% chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 83 degrees. Northeast winds of around 6 mph. New rain levels of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast winds of around 6 mph.
Tuesday, July 22: Sunny, with a high near 86 degrees. East winds from 3 to 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65 degrees.
Wednesday, July 23: Sunny, with a high near 91.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72.
Thursday, July 24: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 94.
Thursday Night: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Friday, July 25: A 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Friday Night: A 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday, July 26: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus weather: Flood watch issued in central Ohio
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