Cincinnati, located in southwest Ohio, features a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are cold and snowy. The city experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year, abundant sunshine in summer, and dramatic temperature swings between seasons, making it a dynamic destination for outdoor activities and cultural events.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Cincinnati’s climate is defined by its continental location and proximity to the Ohio River, resulting in significant seasonal variation. Winters (December–February) are cold and snowy, with average highs of 4–7°C and lows near –5°C. Snowfall averages 38 cm (15 inches) per year, and cold snaps can occasionally drop temperatures below –10°C. Days are short and partly cloudy, with 3–4 hours of sunshine daily, and precipitation is moderate, mostly as rain or snow.
Spring (March–May) brings rapidly warming temperatures, from 12°C in March to 24°C in May, and frequent rain showers. This season is known for its blooming gardens and unpredictable weather, with occasional thunderstorms and even tornadoes. Summers (June–August) are warm to hot and humid, with average highs of 28–30°C and lows of 17–19°C. July is the hottest month, and heatwaves can push temperatures above 35°C, though nights remain comfortable. Rainfall is common, with brief, heavy thunderstorms, but sunshine is abundant – up to 9 hours per day. Autumn (September–November) is mild and pleasant, with highs dropping from 26°C in September to 12°C in November. Autumn foliage is spectacular, and rainfall decreases, making it one of the best times to visit. Cincinnati receives about 1,150 mm of precipitation annually, with 120–135 rainy days and over 2,300 hours of sunshine each year. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms, especially in spring and autumn.
| Average climate data for Cincinnati, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 2 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 23 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 18 | 11 | 5 | 29 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -5 | -3 | 2 | 7 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 9 | 2 | -1 | -5 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 46 | 57 | 63 | 79 | 82 | 65 | 66 | 49 | 39 | 45 | 51 | 56 | 700 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 8 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 151 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 37 | 51 | 44 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 33 | 174 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 6 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 21 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 81 | 80 | 76 | 76 | 80 | 76 | 77 | 75 | 75 | 74 | 76 | 82 | 77 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 60 | 57 | 52 | 44 | 42 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 33 | 38 | 41 | 56 | 43 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
The best time to visit Cincinnati is in spring (May) and autumn (September–October), when temperatures are mild, rainfall is moderate, and the city’s parks and neighbourhoods are at their most beautiful. These months offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, outdoor events, and enjoying Cincinnati’s vibrant culture.
The least favourable time to visit is in mid-winter (January–February), when cold, snowy, and sometimes icy conditions prevail. While winter offers festive events and fewer crowds, outdoor activities may be limited by the weather. Late summer can also be hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms.
Cincinnati has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Spring and autumn are mild and transitional, with frequent rain and dramatic temperature swings throughout the year.
The best time to visit is in May and September–October, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is moderate, and the city’s parks and gardens are at their most vibrant.
Yes, Cincinnati averages 15 inches (38 cm) of snow per year, mostly from December to February. Snowfall is usually light to moderate, but occasional storms can bring heavier accumulations.
Summer highs average 28–30°C, with July being the hottest month. Heatwaves can push temperatures above 35°C, but nights are generally comfortable. Humidity is high, and afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Cincinnati receives about 1,150 mm of precipitation annually, with rainfall distributed throughout the year. May and June are typically the wettest months, while autumn is drier and sunnier.
In spring and autumn, pack layers and a rain jacket. For summer, bring light, breathable clothing, sun protection, and an umbrella. In winter, wear warm layers, a waterproof coat, and sturdy shoes for snow or ice.
Yes, Cincinnati can experience severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes, especially in spring and early summer. It’s wise to check weather alerts during these seasons and be prepared for sudden changes.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (29.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (2.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 17 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (18.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-4.5 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is May (82.2 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (39.4 mm). Over the whole year there are 699.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (17.7 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (8.3 days). Over the whole year there are 151 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (51.4 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 174 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (5.6 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are August, September and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 21.2 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (82 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is October (74.4 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 77.3 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (14.1 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (8.1 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 11.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (59.7 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (27.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 42.8 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 10.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 3.2 h). Over the whole year there are 6.8 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.8.
