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Columbus, the capital of Ohio, sits on the Scioto River on the flat till plains of central Ohio at approximately 39.96°N, 83.00°W. It has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) — with warm, humid summers and cold winters — with precipitation spread fairly evenly through the year and no dry season.
Summer, from June to August, is warm and humid, with July the warmest month — average highs around 29–30°C — and heatwaves that can exceed 34°C, made muggy by Gulf moisture drawn north across the plains. It is the wettest season, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, some severe enough to produce hail or tornadoes.
Winter, from December to February, is cold and grey, with January the coldest month — average highs around 3°C and lows near -6°C. Snow falls, around 70 cm a year, but thaws are frequent, and the season is dominated by persistent overcast as cloud spills south from the Great Lakes.
Columbus receives around 1,000–1,050 mm of precipitation a year, spread fairly evenly through every month with a modest spring and summer maximum from thunderstorms. Live rainfall, humidity, and pressure readings for the city are shown in the panels above.
Columbus lies in the corridor where cold Canadian air meets warm, humid Gulf air, making central Ohio prone to severe spring and summer thunderstorms, including hail and occasional tornadoes. Its winters are notably grey, with cloud from the Great Lakes spilling south across the plains.
To follow any single measurement in Columbus more closely, use our live instruments: the online barometer for atmospheric pressure, the thermometer for temperature, the hygrometer for humidity, the anemometer for wind speed, the wind vane for wind direction, and the rain gauge for rainfall.