March 12, 2026, 9:51 p.m. ET
- A high wind warning is in effect for most of central Ohio on March 13.
- Wind gusts could reach up to 60 mph, potentially causing power outages and downing trees.
- The warning affects Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Madison, and Union counties.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a high wind warning throughout the daylight hours and beyond March 13 for most of central Ohio, advising residents to brace for potential wind gusts up to 60 mph.
Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Madison and Union counties are under the warning, which goes into effect at 5 a.m. March 13 and is set to expire at 8 p.m., the weather service said. The weather service said to expect steady southwesterly winds blowing between 25 and 35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 60 miles per hour possible.
The winds may blow down trees and power lines and send unsecured items outside flying. Widespread power outages are expected, and travel will be difficult for high-profile vehicles, the weather service said.
The high wind warning comes after Columbus and much of central Ohio were spared severe damage from a round of thunderstorms that swept through the region on March 11. The storms also triggered a tornado watch and a wind advisory, as well as a flash flood warning for Pickaway, Fayette, and Ross counties.
Weekend forecast for Columbus
Friday, March 13: Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Windy, with a southwest wind 26 to 35 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 31, and breezy with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 7 to 12 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph.
Saturday, March 14: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the morning. At night, most cloudy with a low around 42.
Sunday, March 15: Mostly cloudy and windy, with a high near 69. Overnight, rain, mainly after 2 a.m. Monday with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, atShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.