Columbus is the state capital and largest city of Ohio, located near the Scioto River, and is one of the number one places to settle down. Even though there isn’t a beach or mountain nearby, you have breathtaking areas in this city like the Olentangy Indian Caverns, Glen Echo Ravine Park, and Hayden Run Falls.
Columbus, Ohio, is a Köppen climate (Dfa) which makes the spring and summer months hot and muggy, while the winter and fall months are freezing cold and windy. You can expect the snowfall to be lower than the surrounding areas since the city is not in the direct path of the Nor’easters.
Even though the snow might be light, it doesn’t prevent Columbus from experiencing severe thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and on a rare occasion, a tornado that is common when located in the Midwestern part of the United States. This weather pattern is more common during the spring and summer months but can occur during the fall. Columbus can even get lake-effect snow.
I know we’re talking about climate, but what’s the difference between this and weather? Climate changes are short-term and often referred to during a specific season. Weather is what happens within our atmosphere and can quickly change.
While the weather can swing from one side of the spectrum to the next, Columbus is still known as one of the best places to move to and live in Ohio.
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Columbus Seasons
The midwest is known for having four individual seasons, but you are more likely to experience the most rain from May through July, with an average of 3.5 inches each month, so make sure to have your raincoat and umbrella.
While Columbus is not in the direct path of tornado alley, they are still at a higher risk of experiencing a tornado compared to other cities in Ohio.
Hurricanes don’t reach OH at the strength that most people near the starting origin will experience because they are not near the Atlantic coast, but every once and a while, they might experience more rain as the system passes through the area.
Spring in Columbus
Spring in Columbus starts at the end of March, and the temperature stays at a comfortable range. During this season, you can expect the highs to be between 52 degrees (during March) and 82 degrees (end of June). Besides the moderate temps, this time of year is when the blossoms bloom, and the color of the flowers begins to pop.
Farmer markets are one of the favorite activities to do during the spring, along with having picnics at a local park like Scioto Audubon Metro Park. There is also an annual Cherry Blossom Festival to help honor the Japanese Culture in the city.
Summer in Columbus
Summer in Columbus is from the end of June till the end of September. While some days can be warm yet pleasant, the weather is unpredictable during the summer because it can change within an instance to hot, muggy, and humid. Always be prepared with the clothes you decide to wear, so if the weather changes while you’re out, you don’t get overheated.
The average Columbus summer temperature is between 78 and 85 degrees. Of course, keep in mind that with a humid climate, it can feel warmer than it is outside.
Now, if you love to swim, the summer is when you want to visit the city of Columbus because the swimming pools are open, the “beaches” (lake) are at the perfect temperature, and residents can beat the heat while taking advantage of the sunny skies.
Fall in Columbus
The leaves are changing, and you know what that means. The trees are full of orange, yellow, and red colors that brighten the area, and there is a crisp feeling in the air.
Remember, though, that the weather in Columbus can be unpredictable, so even though the temperatures are dropping, you can still get days where a hot front flows through the city. Your wardrobe will consist of a mixture of long pants, jackets, shorts, and t-shirts.
Columbus’s temperature in fall can range from 78 degrees at the beginning of the season to 53 right before winter begins.
Attending football games at Ohio State University is a popular activity to attend during the fall season.
Winter in Columbus
You will often experience a winter wonderland from December till spring, but with all that snow, there will also be icy roads. Make sure to grab your scarf, gloves, down jacket, and beanie, because the temperature in Columbus during the winter can get anywhere from 36 degrees to 41 degrees in the daytime and well below 20 degrees at night.
Some fun activities are traveling to Snow Trails in Mansfield, OH, to go skiing or snowboarding. Or stay local and go ice skating, have a snowball fight, or even huddle by the fire drinking hot chocolate.
The average snowfall in Columbus each winter is around 22.4 inches, slightly below the national average of 27.8 inches.
If you’re from a warm climate and aren’t used to cold weather, invest in a good winter coat, proper gloves, and water-proof boots for Columbus’s winter!
Columbus Monthly Weather | Columbus Average Temperatures
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect each month for average temperature, rainfall, snowfall (during winter), and the average number of hours the sun is shining.
January | Coldest Month
- Average Temperature in Columbus in January: The median daily high is around 21 degrees. It can get as high at 57 degrees but that’s incredibly rare.
- Average Rainfall: 2.0 inches
- Average Snowfall: 8.9 inches
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 9 hours 24 minutes a day
February | Lots of Snow
- Average Temperature in Columbus in February: Your average daily temperature increases to 40 degrees.
- Average Rainfall: 2.2 inches
- Average Snowfall: 5.5 inches
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 10 hours 11 minutes a day
March | Picking Up Daylight
- Average Temperature in Columbus in March: In March, your daily average temperature will be around 57 degrees.
- Average Rainfall: 1.8 inches
- Average Snowfall: 2.8 inches
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 11 hours 19 minutes a day
April | Spring Time
- Average Temperature in Columbus in April: It’s starting to warm up! The average daily temperature will be around 69 degrees.
- Average Rainfall: 2.8 inches
- Average Snowfall: 0.7 inches (rare)
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 12 hours 40 minutes a day
May | Warming Up
- Average Temperature in Columbus in May: You can expect the average daily temperature to be around 77 degrees.
- Average Rainfall: 3.4 inches
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 13 hours 55 minutes a day
June | Lots of Rain
- Average Temperature in Columbus in June: It’s officially summertime, and the temperatures show it. On average, your daily temps will be around 83 degrees.
- Average Rainfall: 3.4 inches
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 14 hours 49 minutes a day
July | Hottest Month
- Average Temperature in Columbus in July: July 20th is known as the hottest day per year in Columbus. Throughout the entire month, you can expect an average daily temperature to be around 85 degrees.
- Average Rainfall: 4.5 inches
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 14 hours 58 minutes a day
August | Back to School
- Average Temperature in Columbus in August: The daily average for the temperature starts to decrease slightly, so it will sit around 81 degrees.
- Average Rainfall: 2.7 inches
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 14 hours 15 minutes a day
September | San Diego Type Weather
- Average Temperature in Columbus in September: Your average daily temperature will be around 71 degrees.
- Average Rainfall: 2.4 inches
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 13 hours 3 minutes a day
October | Dramatic Cool Down
- Average Temperature in Columbus in October: The daily average temperature will be around 59 degrees.
- Average Rainfall: 2.3 inches
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 11 hours 46 minutes a day
November | Rain Increasing
- Average Temperature in Columbus in November: You can expect the average daily temperature to be around 47 degrees each day.
- Average Rainfall: 2.4 inches
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 10 hours 28 minutes a day
December | White Christmas
- Average Temperature in Columbus in December: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… and feel like it with the average daily temperatures sitting around 38 degrees.
- Average Rainfall: 2.4 inches
- Average Snowfall: 3.9 inches
- Sunshine: lasting an average of 9 hours 33 minutes a day
Annual Columbus Climate Statistics
- Average number of sunny days: 178 compared to the National Average of 205
- Average rainfall: 40 inches of rain per year compared to the National Average of 38 inches of rain
- Average snowfall: 22 inches of snow per year compared to the National Average of 28 inches of snow
- Coldest month: January at 21 degrees
- Hottest month: July at 85 degrees
- Driest month: February at 2.2 inches of rain
- Wettest month (by rainfall): July with 4.5 inches of rain
- Rainiest month (by rainy days): May with 13.2 rainy days
- Most humid month: There is a three way tie between June, July, and August
- Snowiest month: January with 8.9 inches
- Sunniest month: July
- Columbus record cold temperature: On January 19th, 1994, the temperature got to 22 degrees below zero
- Columbus record high temperature: On July 14th, 1954, the temperature got to 104 degrees
Ohio Tornadoes, Flash Floods, & Intense Heat- Extreme Weather in Columbus
While Columbus, OH, is a beautiful place to call home, they have some unique weather conditions. While Columbus isn’t in the direct path of Tornado Alley, the city is in the danger zone, so it’s essential to be prepared just in case.
In recent years, the news has been covering more flash floods occurring in the city of Columbus. The area isn’t new to these types of floods. There was an occurrence named The Great Flood of 1913 here in Columbus, OH, and even though these events aren’t new, there have been more severe flash floods.
Another piece of weather to watch out for is the intense heat, especially during the summer. The days are hot, muggy, humid, and can get extremely high in temperature, so make sure to take the necessary precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Best Time to Visit Columbus
The best time to visit the beautiful city of Columbus will be anytime between April and May or from September to October–allow you to beat the summer heat and not freeze during the winter cool-down.
Another thing to consider is if you want to attend a specific event like the Cherry Blossoms during the spring or an Ohio State University football game in the fall.
The best thing about the climate in Columbus, OH, is being able to experience four distinct seasons. Not many places, especially on the west coast, allows you to see the leaves change in the fall, the snow in the winter, the flowers blooming in the spring, and the birds chirping in the summer.
If you’re interested in making Columbus, Ohio, your home, call Krupp Moving. We are the #1 moving company in the Columbus area and are here to help you! Call us at (614) 892-9046 for a free moving estimate!
