The National Weather Service's Wilmington office has issued a heat advisory for central Ohio and most of the state over the next two days as hot temperatures and high humidity grip the region.
Franklin County and all of central Ohio are included in the advisory, which will go into effect at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, and expire at 11 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, according to the weather service. All of northern, western and southern Ohio are also included, though to the east the advisory ends at the Zanesville area.
A heat advisory is normally issued when the heat index is forecast to be between 100 degrees and 104 degrees. The heat index, or the "feels like" temperature, is expected to hit 103 degrees the afternoon of Sept. 1 and will be over 100 degrees Sept. 2
and 3 as well, though the weather service's advisory did not extend into Thursday as of the evening of Aug. 31.
Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses, the weather service warned.
The weather service advises that people limit their time outside by postponing or rescheduling outdoor activities. If you must be outside, be sure to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks in the shade or in cool spaces.
The Central Ohio Transit Authority will be offering free fares to riders Sept. 1 and 2 while the heat advisory is in effect, according to an Aug. 31 news release from the authority.
COTA usually suspends fares on all of its transit vehicles when the weather service issues heat or cold advisories or warnings.
Columbus weather forecast for the work week
Tuesday, Sept. 1 - Mostly sunny, with a high near 94 degrees. Westerly wind blowing between 7 and 10 mph. At night, mostly clear with a low around 73 degrees.
Wednesday, Sept. 2 - Sunny, with a high near 95 degrees. Heat index values as high as 101 degrees. Southwest wind blowing between 5 and 10 mph. At night, mostly clear, with a low around 74 degrees.
Thursday, Sept. 3 - Sunny, with a high near 95 degrees. At night, mostly clear with a low around 73 degrees.
Friday, Sept. 4 - A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90 degrees. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 68 degrees.
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Heat advisory issued for central Ohio as temperatures, humidity rise
