Severe storms, tornadoes possible Tuesday in Columbus, NWS says

Dust off those umbrellas and get ready to batten down the hatches.

After a fairly quiet April, severe storms are coming back to Columbus and Central Ohio forecasts.

Several rounds of storms—some of them severe—are possible Tuesday through Wednesday, according to a hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service in Wilmington .

Columbus weather radar: Latest conditions

"One or more rounds of storms are expected late this afternoon through the evening," the NWS stated Tuesday morning. "Strong to severe storms are likely. The primary threats are large hail and damaging winds. A few tornadoes will also be possible. Heavy rain associated with the thunderstorm activity may also lead to localized flooding."

The first storms are expected after 3 p.m.

Also, Columbus is at an "enhanced risk" of severe weather on Wednesday.

Columbus weather forecast

It looks like rain will be Columbus' constant companion for the next week, according to NWS Wilmington's weekly forecast .

• Today : A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Tonight : A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Wednesday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. West wind 7 to 10 mph.
• Wednesday Night : Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 62. South wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday : Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 2 p.m, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. High near 75. South wind 9 to 16 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

NHart@dispatch.com

@NathanRHart

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Severe storms, tornadoes possible Tuesday in Columbus, NWS says