Central Ohio - OH05

Central Ohio experiences a humid continental climate with hot and humid summers and generally cool to cold winters. Compared to rest of the country, precipitation in Ohio is moderate, and relatively consistent year-round. While there isn’t a wet or dry season per se, the month of October usually has the least amount of precipitation. Severe weather is not uncommon. While the area lies outside of “Tornado Alley” in states to the west, tornadoes present a regular threat. The weather of the area is highly variable. Air masses from central and northwest Canada frequently make their way through the region, while air from the Gulf of Mexico often reachs central Ohio during the summer and to a much lesser extent in the fall and winter. With flat topography, the climate and weather patterns are fairly uniform across most of the division from week-to-week, but gorge-like river valleys near Columbus, particularly along the Scioto and Olentangy, create microclimates that experience distinct weather from the surrounding areas.