Climate - Columbus (Ohio)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Columbus
The climate of Columbus is continental, with very cold winters and warm to hot summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
Columbus, named after the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, is the capital of the state of Ohio and the second most populous city in the Midwest after Chicago. It is located 240 meters (785 feet) above sea level and about 160 km (100 mi) south of Lake Erie.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -1.4 °C (29.5 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 24.1 °C (75.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Columbus - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | -5.6 | 2.8 | -1.4 | 22 | 37 | 29.5 |
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| February | -4.3 | 4.9 | 0.3 | 24 | 41 | 32.5 |
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| March | 0 | 10.6 | 5.3 | 32 | 51 | 41.5 |
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| April | 5.7 | 17.8 | 11.8 | 42 | 64 | 53.2 |
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| May | 11.3 | 23.4 | 17.4 | 52 | 74 | 63.2 |
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| June | 16.4 | 27.9 | 22.2 | 62 | 82 | 71.9 |
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| July | 18.6 | 29.7 | 24.1 | 65 | 85 | 75.4 |
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| August | 17.7 | 28.9 | 23.3 | 64 | 84 | 74 |
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| September | 13.6 | 25.4 | 19.5 | 56 | 78 | 67.1 |
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| October | 7.1 | 18.6 | 12.9 | 45 | 65 | 55.1 |
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| November | 1.7 | 11.3 | 6.5 | 35 | 52 | 43.7 |
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| December | -2.6 | 5.3 | 1.4 | 27 | 42 | 34.4 |
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| Year | 6.7 | 17.3 | 11.95 | 44.1 | 63.1 | 53.5 |
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Precipitation amounts to 1,055 millimeters (41.6 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 60 mm (2.4 in) in the driest month (February) to 120 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest (July). Here is the average precipitation.
Columbus - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 75 | 3 | 15 |
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| February | 60 | 2.4 | 12 |
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| March | 90 | 3.5 | 12 |
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| April | 100 | 3.9 | 14 |
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| May | 100 | 3.9 | 14 |
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| June | 110 | 4.3 | 12 |
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| July | 120 | 4.7 | 11 |
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| August | 95 | 3.7 | 10 |
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| September | 80 | 3.1 | 9 |
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| October | 75 | 3 | 10 |
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| November | 70 | 2.8 | 10 |
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| December | 80 | 3.1 | 13 |
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| Year | 1055 | 41.5 | 141 |
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Winter, from late November to early March, is very cold. Snowfalls are frequent, and at times can be abundant. On average, 72 centimeters (28.3 inches) of snow fall per year. The heaviest snowfall in one day occurred in March 2008, when 39.5 cm (15.5 in) of snow fell. However, snow is not as abundant as on the east coast of the United States or in the Great Lakes region.
Cold waves are intense, in fact, the temperature drops below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 °C) almost every year. The record cold, -30 °C (-22 °F), occurred in January 1994.
Summer, from June to August, is hot and quite sunny, although thunderstorms can break out, sometimes accompanied by hail and gusts of wind.
The summer in Columbus is not as hot and humid as on the east coast or in the south of the United States, also due to the altitude, which slightly lowers the temperature compared to sea level.
However, 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 38.5 °C (101.5 °F), recorded in August 1983, in July 1988 and in July 2012.
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.
Ohio is part of the area where tornadoes can form, which are most likely in spring, but can occasionally occur in autumn as well.
On average, there are around 2,185 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Columbus - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 3.5 | 110 | February | 4.5 | 125 | March | 5 | 160 | April | 6.5 | 200 | May | 8 | 245 | June | 8.5 | 260 | July | 8.5 | 260 | August | 7.5 | 235 | September | 7 | 210 | October | 6 | 185 | November | 3.5 | 105 | December | 2.5 | 85 | Year | 6 | 2185 |
Best Time
The best times to visit Columbus are spring and autumn, especially the months of May and September.
However, in summer it is generally not too hot, so after all you can also go in this season, especially if you don't fear the heat.
From mid-October to early November, you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon called fall foliage).
Columbus - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Columbus is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -1.4 °C (30 °F), with a minimum of -5.6 °C (22 °F) and a maximum of 2.8 °C (37.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17 °C (1.5 °F). However, it dropped to -30 °C (-22 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
In February, the weather in Columbus is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.3 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -4.3 °C (24.2 °F) and a maximum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -14.5 °C (6 °F). However, it dropped to -23.9 °C (-11 °F) in February 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 12 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 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
In March, the weather in Columbus is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.3 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 0 °C (32 °F) and a maximum of 10.6 °C (51.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9.5 °C (14.5 °F). However, it dropped to -15.6 °C (3.9 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
In April, the weather in Columbus is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.8 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 5.7 °C (42.2 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -7.8 °C (18 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in April 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
In May, the weather in Columbus is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.4 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.4 °F) and a maximum of 23.4 °C (74.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in May 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in May 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
In June, the weather in Columbus is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.4 °C (61.6 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in June 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 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 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Columbus is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.1 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.6 °C (65.4 °F) and a maximum of 29.7 °C (85.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in July 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in July 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
In August, the weather in Columbus is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.3 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F) and a maximum of 28.9 °C (84.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in August 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in August 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
In September, the weather in Columbus is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.4 °C (77.8 °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 0.5 °C (32.9 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 36.1 °C (97 °F) in September 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
In October, the weather in Columbus is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.9 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 7.1 °C (44.8 °F) and a maximum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -3.3 °C (26.1 °F) in October 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
In November, the weather in Columbus is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 6.5 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 1.7 °C (35 °F) and a maximum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °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 -11.7 °C (10.9 °F) in November 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
In December, the weather in Columbus is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.4 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -2.6 °C (27.4 °F) and a maximum of 5.3 °C (41.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11.5 °F). However, it dropped to -18.3 °C (-0.9 °F) in December 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
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