Hail, reportedly quarter-sized to up to the size of golfballs, has been reported on Columbus’ Northwest Side and in Worthington from a thunderstorm that moved through those areas on the late afternoon of Wednesday, April 22.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for north central Fairfield County and southern Licking County until 6:15 p.m. as a severe thunderstorm was located over Beechwood Trails at 5:32 p.m. moving east at 15 mph.
Locations impacted include: Newark, Heath, Granville, Pataskala, Buckeye Lake, Hebron, Millersport, Fairfield Beach, Beechwood Trails, Harbor Hills, Granville South, Marne, Thornport, Etna, Kirkersville, Alexandria, State Route 310 at State Route 161, Interstate 70 at State Route 37, and Interstate 70 at State Route 13. This includes I-70 in Ohio between mile markers 115 and 135.
The weather service warned of wind gusts up to 60 mph and possible damage to trees and power lines. Hail the size of quarters is possible with damage to vehicles possible, the weather service said.
A severe thunderstorm warning had been issued until 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, for northeastern Franklin County, southern Delaware County, and southeastern Union County. That warning has expired.
Hail was reported on Columbus’ Northwest Side shortly before 5 p.m. by Dispatch staffer Andrew Resnik, who noted that the hail had covered the driveway of his home and was piling up in the yard, front planting bed and out on the street.
Dispatch staffer Dean Narciso reported hail up to golf ball size fell for a good 15-20 minutes in Worthington as a result of the passing storm. Then the skies opened up again to sunshine, he said.
Dark skies with visible lightning and thunder were passing over ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Dispatch photojournalist Adam Cairns reported, but the front passed and skies turned sunny again.
This is a breaking news story. Check back at Dispatch.com for more updates.
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: Hail hits Columbus, Worthington, severe thunderstorm warning issued for parts of Licking, Fairfield
Reporting by Shahid Meighan, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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