Cincinnati climate: weather by month, temperature, rain (2024)

The climate of Cincinnati is continental, with very cold winters and warm to hot summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in southern Ohio, in the Midwest of the United States, at an altitude of 150 meters (490 feet). Across the Ohio River lies the state of Kentucky, with the twin cities of Covington and Newport.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -0.4 °C (31.4 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 24.4 °C (75.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 1,150 millimeters (45.3 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 80 mm (3.1 in) in the driest months (February, September, November) to 120 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest ones (May, June). Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from late November to early March, is very cold. Snowfalls are frequent, and at times can be abundant. On average, 59 centimeters (23 inches) of snow fall per year. The heaviest snowfall in one day occurred in February 1998, when 30 cm (12 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, -31.5 °C (-24.5 °F), was set in January 1977, while in January 1994, the temperature dropped to -31 °C (-24 °F).
During the most intense cold spells, even the river can freeze.
However, there can also be short, fairly mild periods, with highs of 12/13 °C (54/55 °F) or more.
In periods of stable weather, fog can form.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and quite sunny, although thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon.
However, there can sometimes be very hot and muggy periods. Typically, the temperature reaches 35 °C (95 °F) on the hottest days of the year, although the record is 40 °C (104 °F), set 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 2,335 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best times to visit Cincinnati are spring and autumn, especially the months of May and September.
From mid-October to early November, you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon called fall foliage).

Cincinnati - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.4 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -4.9 °C (23.1 °F) and a maximum of 4.2 °C (39.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17.5 °C (0 °F). However, it dropped to -31.2 °C (-24.2 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in January 1999.
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 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.5 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -3.4 °C (25.8 °F) and a maximum of 6.5 °C (43.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -14 °C (6.5 °F). However, it dropped to -24.4 °C (-11.9 °F) in February 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in February 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 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 15 kph (10 mph).

March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.5 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 1 °C (33.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.9 °C (53.5 °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 -17.8 °C (0 °F) in March 2015.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 12 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 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) in April 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.8 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12.1 °C (53.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °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 -2.2 °C (28 °F) in May 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in May 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 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 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) and a maximum of 28.1 °C (82.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in June 1993.
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 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 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 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 24.4 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 18.8 °C (65.9 °F) and a maximum of 30 °C (86 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) in July 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in July 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

August is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 23.8 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.1 °C (64.6 °F) and a maximum of 29.6 °C (85.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) in August 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in August 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 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%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.1 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.1 °C (57.3 °F) and a maximum of 26.1 °C (78.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.6 °C (30.9 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in September 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) and a maximum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -5.6 °C (21.9 °F) in October 1992.
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 35 °C (95 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 9 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 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.9 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) and a maximum of 12.1 °C (53.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.2 °C (10 °F) in November 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 27.8 °C (82 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of -2.3 °C (27.9 °F) and a maximum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C (10 °F). However, it dropped to -19.4 °C (-2.9 °F) in December 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).