Climate Summary
Following Ohio’s warmest March-April on record (1895-2026), May was colder than normal, ranking as the 44th coldest. Despite the late spring chill, March – May ranks as the 4th warmest spring on record for the Buckeye State. Along with the chilly temperatures came plenty of rainfall. It was Ohio’s 22nd wettest May on record and 5th wettest spring (March – May). This is the first time Ohio has recorded a top 5 or top 10 ranking in both temperature and precipitation during the same spring season. As of June 1, the meteorological calendar has flipped to summer, and the weather is starting to feel more like it. This past week, temperatures were above average across northwest Ohio, where it has once again turned a bit over the last 30 days (Figure 1). Williams and Fulton counties have received less than 1.5 inches over the past month, which is 25-50% of normal. Other drier locations include the Cleveland area and parts of Highland, Clinton, and Fayette counties. Meanwhile, central and southern Ohio have been running well above normal over the last 30 days. Accumulated modified growing degree days since April average from about 400 in northeast Ohio to near 1140 along the Ohio River. This is 180 to 240 GDDs below average to date for northeast Ohio due to the chilly May conditions, but 60-180 GDDs above normal in south central Ohio after the very warm April. For more monthly and quarterly updates, please visit the State Climate Office of Ohio or sign up for email updates at https://go.osu.edu/oh-climate-summaries. Â
Weather Forecast & Outlook
A warm, summer-like pattern is in store for Ohio this week (June 9 - 15). High temperatures are expected to reach the mid-80s to low-90s every day through Sunday. Dewpoint temperatures will push into the 70s, and conditions will feel muggy to oppressive at times. A slow-moving boundary will provide a focal point for shower and storm opportunities each day as well. Though not all locations will receive rain every day, locally heavy rain is possible where storms occur. A cold front will eventually move through the region early next week, ushering in less humid conditions early next week. Overall, the National Weather Service precipitation forecast shows totals between 0.5 and 1 inches across northwest Ohio, with 1-3 inches possible for central and southern Ohio over the next 7 days (Figure 2).
The 8-14 day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for the period of June 15 – 21, 2026, and the 16-Day Rainfall Outlook from NOAA/NWS/Ohio River Forecast Center show probabilities of near normal temperatures with precipitation leaning toward wetter than normal (Figure 3). Climatology for this period indicates a normal high-temperature range of 78-81°F, a low-temperature range of 58-61°F, and weekly total precipitation of 0.95 – 1.15 inches.
