Climate - Cleveland (Ohio)

The climate of Cleveland is continental, with very cold winters and warm to hot summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in Ohio, at 190 meters (625 feet) above sea level, on the shores of Lake Erie, beyond which lies Canada.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -1.6 °C (29 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 1,040 millimeters (41 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 65 mm (2.6 in) in the driest month (February) to 100 mm (3.9 in) in the wettest (September). Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from late November to early March, is very cold.
Snowfalls in Cleveland and on the southern shores of Lake Erie are abundant due to the so-called lake-effect snow, whereby the cold wind from Canada is charged with humidity as it passes over the lake. This phenomenon occurs more easily in the first part of winter, since the lake often freezes at the end of January and in February. Furthermore, the phenomenon is more evident in the part of the lake facing north-west or west, therefore the one that goes from the eastern part of Cleveland to Buffalo.
At the airport, an average of 162 centimeters (64 inches) of snow falls per year. It usually snows from November to April.
Cold waves are intense, in fact, the temperature drops below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 °C) almost every year. The record cold, -29 °C (-20 °F), occurred in January 1994.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and quite sunny, although thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon.
There can sometimes be very hot periods. Typically, the temperature reaches 34/35 °C (93/95 °F) on the hottest days of the year, although the record is 40 °C (104 °F), recorded in late June 1988.

Spring and autumn, from mid-March to May and from September to mid-November, are contrasted seasons, with fairly frequent rains and sudden changes in temperature. However, there are also stable and pleasant periods.



On average, there are around 2,280 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The lake temperature ranges between 1.5 °C (34.5 °F) and 23.5 °C (74 °F). Here are the average lake temperatures.

Best Time

The best times to visit Cleveland are spring and fall, especially the months of May and September.
In October, you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon called fall foliage).

Cleveland - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

---

In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Cleveland is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -1.6 °C (29 °F), with a minimum of -5.4 °C (22.3 °F) and a maximum of 2.1 °C (35.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17 °C (1.5 °F). However, it dropped to -28.9 °C (-20 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it reached 21.1 °C (70 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).

---

In February, the weather in Cleveland is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -0.5 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -4.6 °C (23.7 °F) and a maximum of 3.6 °C (38.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -16 °C (3.5 °F). However, it dropped to -27.2 °C (-17 °F) in February 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

---

In March, the weather in Cleveland is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.8 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of -0.7 °C (30.7 °F) and a maximum of 8.4 °C (47.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11 °C (12 °F). However, it dropped to -17.8 °C (0 °F) in March 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

---

In April, the weather in Cleveland is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.2 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) and a maximum of 15.6 °C (60.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.6 °C (12.9 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in April 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).

---

In May, the weather in Cleveland is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.2 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) and a maximum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.2 °C (29.8 °F) in May 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

---

In June, the weather in Cleveland is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.4 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 16.2 °C (61.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.6 °C (79.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 36.1 °C (97 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

---

In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Cleveland is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.6 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) and a maximum of 28.7 °C (83.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) in July 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

---

In August, the weather in Cleveland is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 22.8 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F) and a maximum of 27.8 °C (82 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in August 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

---

In September, the weather in Cleveland is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.1 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 13.9 °C (57.1 °F) and a maximum of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) in September 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in September 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

---

In October, the weather in Cleveland is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.8 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.8 °C (27 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

---

In November, the weather in Cleveland is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.7 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) and a maximum of 10.7 °C (51.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -12.2 °C (10 °F) in November 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).

---

In December, the weather in Cleveland is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.3 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -2.1 °C (28.2 °F) and a maximum of 4.7 °C (40.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10.5 °F). However, it dropped to -21.1 °C (-6 °F) in December 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in December 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).