Ohio weather and outdoor projects
Ohio has cold winters, warm and humid summers and rain spread through the year. Cleveland on Lake Erie gets lake-effect clouds and snow and stays cooler in spring, Columbus is in the middle, and Cincinnati in the southwest is warmer and more humid.
Late spring and September are prime staining and painting months. Spring and fall can bring long cloudy, damp stretches, especially in the north, which slow drying. Freeze-thaw cycles are frequent in winter, so cure and seal new concrete well, and finish driveway sealing before nights turn cold in October.
Frost dates in Ohio
In Columbus, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around April 18 and the median first fall freeze is around October 27, a frost-free season of about 191 days.
In Cleveland, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around April 20 and the median first fall freeze is around November 3, a frost-free season of about 198 days.
In Cincinnati (CVG), the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around April 18 and the median first fall freeze is around October 25, a frost-free season of about 188 days.
How Ohio compares with other states
Columbus is tied for the 5th-most rainy days of the 50 state main stations (82 a year with 0.1 in or more). Columbus is tied for the 14th-shortest deck staining season of the 50 state main stations (4 good months). Columbus has the 16th-shortest frost-free season of the 50 state main stations (191 days).
| Measure (Columbus) | Value | Rank, highest first |
|---|---|---|
| Deck staining season | 4 good months | 20th of 50 |
| Frost-free season | 191 days | 35th of 50 |
| Freezing nights | 103 a year | 21st of 50 |
| Rainy days | 82 a year with 0.1 in or more | 5th of 50 |
| Days at 90°F or hotter | 21 a year | 31st of 50 |
| Summer afternoons | 50% humidity at 3 PM, June–August | 20th of 47 |
Best time to stain a deck in Ohio
In Columbus, the most reliable months are June–September. April–May and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 64°F, May 74°F, Oct 66°F). November–March is too cold, with average highs around 45°F. In April and October, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. May averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
In Cleveland, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 60°F, Oct 64°F). November–March is too cold, with average highs around 43°F. April is cool, with highs around 60°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In October, nights average about 47°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
In Cincinnati (CVG), the most reliable months are June–September. April–May and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 66°F, May 75°F, Oct 67°F). November–March is too cold, with average highs around 47°F. In April and October, nights average about 45°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. May averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
Best time to paint outside in Ohio
In Columbus, the most reliable months are June–September. April–May and October–November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 40°F. In March, nights average about 32°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April and October, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. May averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch. November is cool, with highs around 52°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Cleveland, the most reliable months are May–October. April and November can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 60°F, Nov 51°F). December–March is too cold, with average highs around 40°F. In April, nights average about 41°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. November is cool, with highs around 51°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Cincinnati (CVG), the most reliable months are June–October. March–May and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 42°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 54°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In April, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. May averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
Best time to pour concrete in Ohio
In Columbus, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 64°F, Oct 66°F). November–March averages about 19 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. April and October bring about 3 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
In Cleveland, the most reliable months are May–October. April can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 60°F). November–March averages about 21 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. April brings about 6 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
In Cincinnati (CVG), the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 66°F, Oct 67°F). November–March averages about 19 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. April and October bring about 3 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
Best time to seal a driveway in Ohio
In Columbus, the most reliable months are June–September. April–May and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 64°F, May 74°F, Oct 66°F). November–March is too cold, with average highs around 45°F. April and October are cool, with highs around 65°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. May averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
In Cleveland, the most reliable months are June–September. May and October can also work on the right days (average highs May 71°F, Oct 64°F). November–March is too cold, with average highs around 43°F. In April, nights average about 41°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In May, nights average about 51°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. October is cool, with highs around 64°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Cincinnati (CVG), the most reliable months are June–September. April–May and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 66°F, May 75°F, Oct 67°F). November–March is too cold, with average highs around 47°F. April and October are cool, with highs around 66°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. May averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
Best time to fertilize or treat a lawn in Ohio
In Columbus, the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days (average highs Mar 51°F, Nov 52°F). December–February is too cold, with average highs around 40°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 52°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Cleveland, the most reliable months are April–October. November can also work on the right days (average highs Nov 51°F). December–March is too cold, with average highs around 40°F. November is cool, with highs around 51°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Cincinnati (CVG), the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days (average highs Mar 54°F, Nov 54°F). December–February is too cold, with average highs around 42°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 54°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
How the weather differs across Ohio
| Place | Hottest month avg high | Coldest month avg low | Rain per year | Last spring freeze | First fall freeze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 85°F | 22°F | 42 in | April 18 | October 27 |
| Cleveland | 84°F | 22°F | 41 in | April 20 | November 3 |
| Cincinnati (CVG) | 86°F | 23°F | 45 in | April 18 | October 25 |
Of the places above, Cleveland has the most good months for staining, painting and concrete combined (17 job-months), and Columbus has the fewest (13).
Monthly weather in Columbus
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F | 22°F | 7 | 3.0 in | 64% | 25 |
| February | 41°F | 24°F | 6 | 2.4 in | 59% | 22 |
| March | 51°F | 32°F | 8 | 3.6 in | 50% | 17 |
| April | 64°F | 42°F | 8 | 3.9 in | 45% | 4 |
| May | 74°F | 52°F | 9 | 4.0 in | 48% | 0 |
| June | 82°F | 62°F | 8 | 4.3 in | 49% | 0 |
| July | 85°F | 65°F | 7 | 4.7 in | 51% | 0 |
| August | 84°F | 64°F | 6 | 3.7 in | 50% | 0 |
| September | 78°F | 57°F | 6 | 3.1 in | 48% | 0 |
| October | 66°F | 45°F | 6 | 2.9 in | 49% | 2 |
| November | 52°F | 35°F | 6 | 2.8 in | 55% | 12 |
| December | 42°F | 27°F | 6 | 3.1 in | 64% | 22 |
*Days with 0.1 inch of rain or more; column notes.
Monthly weather in Cleveland
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F | 22°F | 8 | 3.0 in | 67% | 26 |
| February | 39°F | 24°F | 7 | 2.5 in | 63% | 24 |
| March | 47°F | 31°F | 8 | 3.1 in | 57% | 20 |
| April | 60°F | 41°F | 8 | 3.8 in | 52% | 6 |
| May | 71°F | 51°F | 8 | 3.8 in | 53% | 0 |
| June | 80°F | 61°F | 7 | 3.8 in | 54% | 0 |
| July | 84°F | 65°F | 7 | 3.7 in | 54% | 0 |
| August | 82°F | 64°F | 6 | 3.6 in | 56% | 0 |
| September | 76°F | 57°F | 7 | 3.9 in | 56% | 0 |
| October | 64°F | 47°F | 8 | 3.6 in | 56% | 1 |
| November | 51°F | 37°F | 8 | 3.4 in | 60% | 12 |
| December | 40°F | 28°F | 8 | 3.0 in | 67% | 22 |
Monthly weather in Cincinnati (CVG)
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F | 23°F | 7 | 3.3 in | 63% | 24 |
| February | 44°F | 26°F | 7 | 3.2 in | 57% | 21 |
| March | 54°F | 34°F | 8 | 4.2 in | 50% | 15 |
| April | 66°F | 44°F | 9 | 4.5 in | 48% | 4 |
| May | 75°F | 54°F | 9 | 4.7 in | 53% | 0 |
| June | 83°F | 62°F | 8 | 4.8 in | 53% | 0 |
| July | 86°F | 66°F | 7 | 3.8 in | 54% | 0 |
| August | 85°F | 65°F | 5 | 3.4 in | 52% | 0 |
| September | 79°F | 57°F | 5 | 3.1 in | 49% | 0 |
| October | 67°F | 46°F | 6 | 3.4 in | 50% | 2 |
| November | 54°F | 35°F | 6 | 3.2 in | 55% | 13 |
| December | 43°F | 28°F | 7 | 3.7 in | 63% | 21 |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 for COLUMBUS PORT COLUMBUS INTL AP, CLEVELAND, CINCINNATI NORTHERN KY AP. See how the ratings work and how late in fall you can stain, paint or seal.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to stain a deck in Ohio?
In Columbus, June–September. In Cleveland, May–September. In Cincinnati (CVG), June–September.
When is the last frost in Ohio?
Columbus: around April 18; Cleveland: around April 20; Cincinnati (CVG): around April 18.
Can you pour concrete in winter in Ohio?
Yes, with cold-weather practices: Columbus averages about 69 freezing nights from December to February, so fresh concrete needs insulated blankets, a heated enclosure or an accelerated mix, and must not freeze in the first 48 hours. Many homeowners wait for spring.
What months are best for sealing a driveway in Ohio?
In Columbus, June–September. In Cleveland, June–September. In Cincinnati (CVG), June–September.