COLUMBUS, Ohio — Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 10:00 p.m. local time
Severe weather has been battering central Ohio as powerful thunderstorms push across the region. A severe thunderstorm warning remains active for Coshocton, Guernsey, Hocking, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, and Ross counties, with additional watches covering most of central and western Ohio until 10 p.m. Wednesday night.
Repeated rounds of thunderstorms and heavy rain have impacted central Ohio over the past few days. A cold front, expected to arrive late Thursday, will finally break this unsettled pattern by ushering in cooler and drier air. However, before that transition, one more line of strong to severe storms is forecast to move in tonight, bringing the potential for hazardous weather.
By sunset, a well-organized line of storms is projected to approach central Ohio, sweeping through the area by midnight. These storms will feed on residual atmospheric instability, which, while waning as the sun sets, will still support the development of strong to severe cells, especially in the western counties.
The Storm Prediction Center places much of Columbus and points east under a Level 2 out of 5 Slight Risk for severe weather. Areas farther west, including cities like Dayton and Lima, are under a Level 3 out of 5 Enhanced Risk, indicating a greater likelihood of damaging conditions.
The primary threat from tonight’s storms is damaging wind gusts, potentially exceeding 60 mph (96 km/h). There is also a risk of large hail and a low, but non-negligible chance of an isolated tornado.
Storm Team 4 remains on alert and will continue monitoring radar and satellite data to provide real-time updates as conditions evolve across central Ohio.
