Columbus Dispatch
Central Ohio enters its second day of a heat advisory that could see heat-index conditions reaching 100 degrees, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
As was the case with Monday, the NWS also issued a hazardous weather outlook that says parts of central Ohio could experience isolated thunderstorms and high winds throughout the day.
The renewed call for storms comes on the heels of severe thunderstorm warnings Monday afternoon in northern Fairfield County and southwestern Licking County and for southeastern Pickaway County, northeastern Ross County and southwestern Hocking County. The storms made their way through the region without causing serious damage.
Central Ohio under heat advisory
The heat advisory began at noon Monday and is expected to continue through 8 p.m. Friday with heat indexes expected to reach 100 degrees across several days.
The National Weather Service in Cleveland also forecast similar conditions in the northern part of the state, meaning most of Ohio is subject to extreme heat conditions throughout the week. The high-pressure heat dome at the center of this potentially lethal weather is moving through the Midwest and into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the country.
What to do in dangerously hot conditions
Staying inside is the most common-sense approach to potentially dangerous heat, although such advice is impractical for people who work, have medical appointments or who have kids that play outdoor sports.
The National Weather Service suggests drinking plenty of fluids, staying in an air-conditioned rooms when possible, staying out of the sun, and checking up on relatives and neighbors, especially people with underlying health conditions.
If avoiding the outdoors isn't in the cards, there are a few tips for people who simply have to remain outdoors. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing and try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
More: How central Ohio high schools protect athletes during heat wave
Free places to cool off around Columbus
If you need a free place to beat the heat, the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) and the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department have got you covered. Both are opening their locations to serve as community cooling centers for anyone who needs a break from the heat.
To check the hours or locations nearest you, check out the comprehensive list compiled by The Dispatch.
Don't forget your pets: Extreme heat is a bear for cats and dogs
If this is your first heatwave with a puppy or a kitten, there are a lot of dos and don'ts when it comes to owning a dog or a cat. For those who need to know, or for anyone who needs a refresher, we've put together this helpful guide on making sure your dogs and cats stay comfortable, even during the worst parts of this pre-summer spell.
Learn More: Pets in the heat: How to keep your dogs and cats safe and cool during the heat wave
What's the Columbus forecast for week of June 17?
Tuesday: Another 30% chance for showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with high temperatures near 95 and the heat index values as high as 100.
Tuesday night: The chance of showers and thunderstorms drops to about 20% before 9 p.m. Skies should remain mostly cloudy with a low temperature of about 74. Winds from the south should be about 6 mph and become calm in the evening.
Juneteenth: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11a.m, and noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. South wind 3 to 6 mph.
Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Thursday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
What are the record hot temperatures in Columbus?
While it's impossible to predict the future, the temperatures predicted for this week in Columbus and Central Ohio are pushing the limits of our high-temperature records. A similar heat wave in 1994 set high-temperature records on three of the upcoming five days.
- June 17, 1994: 97 degrees
- June 18, 1944: 99 degrees
- June 19, 1994: 98 degrees
- June 20, 1994: 97 degrees
- June 21, 1988: 98 degrees
Is the heat causing cancellations in Columbus?
As of mid-morning Monday, there have been no major closures as a result of the heat in Columbus. Continue to check back here for any information about major event cancelations or closures.
How to check of power outages related to the heat
If your air conditioner is still humming, you can skip this section. As of early Monday, there were no widespread heat-related power outages or calls to conserve energy.
Thegrid operatorthat oversees the flow of electricity in Ohio and all or parts of 12 other states told the Dispatch that the region has enough generation and transmission capacity to meet the expected demand for power from this week's hot weather.
More: Will there be enough power to cool down during Ohio heat wave? Here's what AEP said
However, if you live in the city of Columbus, the Columbus Division of Power maintains a real-time outage map that you can check by visiting their website.
If you live pretty much everywhere else, then you're probably covered by AEP. If you want to report or check to see if your community is experiencing widespread power outages, you can visit their site for real-time updates.
