Sunny, warmer, rain returns Friday, lingers into the weekend

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather

High pressure will bring drier weather and lots of sunshine, along with a warming trend, as readings reach the upper 70s. High clouds will drift in from the west north of a warm front. Later tonight, clouds will thicken and scattered will develop over the northwest part of the state.

A storm system will approach the region on Friday, accompanied by showers and a few embedded storms. The rain will diminish to showers Friday night, but some rain will linger on Saturday in the form of spotty showers.

The weather should gradually become drier on Sunday, as low pressure moves off to the east. Temperatures will rebound into the low 80s. Nice weather will continue on Monday and much of Tuesday, before a cold front approaches and triggers another round of showers and storms midweek.

Forecast

• Thursday: Partly cloudy, warmer. High 78
• Tonight: Clouds increase, showers late. Low 62
• Friday: Showers, storms. High 74
• Saturday: Showers early, some breaks. High 77 (62)
• Sunday: Mostly sunny. High 80 (61)
• Monday: Sunny. High 82 (58)
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, warm, late shower. High 84 (62)
• Wednesday: Showers, some sun p.m. High 79 (66)

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.