How are Ohio summers?

Answer 1

Spring is rainy with average temperatures in the high 50s to mid-high 60s. Summer starts slowly with temps in the high 60s to mid 70s through late May. The 70s temps can continue into June, however, the temperature can climb to 80 in a single day-- and thus begin hotter, summer temperatures.

Ohio has multiple "zones" of weather. Cities along Lake Erie experience more storms and stronger storms. Weather patterns and fronts can come either down from Canada, southeast over the northeastern part of Ohio... or the fronts come directly west to east from Illinois and Indiana. West to East fronts that trigger thunderstorms typically cut across from Columbus Ohio to Akron in Summit County and often, those storms follow a southeasterly route into Columbiana County. Because of the two weather patterns, people in Trumbull County Ohio often experience different weather, with the northern part of the County experiencing more thunderstorms and thunderstorm warnings than the southern section of Trumbull County, Ohio.

Because of the two major pathways of fronts (from Canada, or from western states), Ohio typically has periods of volatile weather, especially when the same fronts build humidity to over 70% and dewpoints well over 50. The humid conditions make for many days of close, sticky, and uncomfortable weather, especially when daytime temps reach into the high 80s. The higher the dewpoint, the more humid the air feels. As well, in the height of summer (July - August) there may be little cooling from daytime temps of high 80s and nighttime temps of at least 70 to 72 degrees. Often predicted storms barely wet the ground and most often the storms do not cool the air or the "feels like" temperatures.

Because Niles Ohio was hit with a tornado in 1985, and because Carroll County, Summit County, and Columbiana County do experience stronger storms, communities are more nervous during storms. It is not unusual to hear volunteer fire department Emergency Sirens sounding from three or four communities that are within a few miles of each other. However, over 99% of the sirens are warnings or for funnel clouds that never reach the ground.

By September, everyone wishes for cooler air, which comes about fairly quickly once it begins.

One quip heard around Ohio communities about the weather is: "Just wait a little while, the weather will change." Predicted storms often dissipate before reaching an area or community; or, it rains on one side of town with a clear "line" on the dry pavement to show it didn't rain on the other side of town. It's the same with snow forecasts in the winter.

NOTE: The "snowbelt" for areas closest to Lake Erie receive heavier and longer rains, just as they also get more snow, blowing snow, and drifting snow during the winters.