What’s the weather like in Cleveland? If you’re thinking about visiting or moving to the Forest City, you’ll definitely want to give some consideration to the weather. Located on the southern shore of Lake Erie, Cleveland’s weather is typical for the Great Lakes region. The city has a humid continental climate (Dfa) climate with four distinct seasons and harsh winters thanks to lake-effect snow. It’s been ranked as the worst winter weather city in America with infamously frigid winter temperatures and substantial snowfall, but there’s more to Cleveland weather than snow!
Here’s what you can expect from the Cleveland climate including the average temperature in Cleveland by month and weather extremes.
Cleveland Seasons
Cleveland Ohio’s weather has four distinct seasons typical of a continental climate. The wet season runs from late March to late November while winter is the dry season from late November to late March.
The typical weather in Cleveland, Ohio comes with 159 annual rainy days and 46 snowy days. You’ll want to be braced for a lot of rain and snow with good winter tires, a rain jacket, and waterproof shoes! Cleveland annual snowfall is almost 64” and annual rainfall is 41”, both far exceeding average for the U.S.
Spring in Cleveland
Spring begins in late March and ends in late June. The weather in Cleveland Ohio during spring is often pleasant with daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s but without the intense heat and humidity of summer. By April, most of the snow is melted, although you will likely still experience the infamous Cleveland snowfall during the first month of spring with finicky weather and lows in the 40s and 50s. The tourist season starts in mid-May as the weather warms up.
Springtime cherry blossoms in Cleveland begin to bloom between the end of March and early May and may last for several weeks. Be sure to see them at their peak at Wade Lagoon where they bloom along the water in the University Circle park. The warming Cleveland weather brings many other sights and activities like the annual Cleveland Asian Festival in AsiaTown, the Grapes and Ale festival, and the return of the food truck series at Perk Plaza downtown.
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Summer in Cleveland
Summer starts in late June and ends in late September. Cleveland summers are humid and warm with heavy rainfall and regular afternoon thunderstorms. The rainy season picks up in May and continues through summer with an average of 11” of rainfall over 30 rainy days from June through September.
Humidity peaks in June and July at around 62% on average. While Cleveland humidity is usually comfortable, many summer days are quite muggy. On average, there are about six very hot summer days with high temperatures above 90°F.
There are plenty of things to do in Cleveland in summer. The Cleveland beaches on Lake Erie are a great way to beat the heat with a fishing pier and volleyball at Edgewater Beach and a new pier at Euclid Beach. Catch a Guardians game at Progressive Field, kayak on the Cuyahoga River, and visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for the Asian Lantern Festival.
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Fall in Cleveland
Autumn starts in late September and ends in late December. Fall delivers comfortable weather in Cleveland, Ohio with highs in the 60s and 70s during September and October. The start of fall is rather wet and rainy while the latter part comes with Cleveland snow, but you’ll be treated with the spectacular display of autumn leaves changing colors.
Enjoy the outdoors before Cleveland’s weather gets too cold. Fall color usually peaks during the middle of October in Cleveland. Enjoy the crisp autumn air and colors at the Rocky River Reservation, Holden Arboretum, the Bedford Reservation, or Berea Falls. Visit the Halloween Boo-Thru and Lake Metroparks Farmpark fall events, go tailgating at a Browns game, and pick your own apples and pumpkins at one of the many farms and orchards in the area.
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Winter in Cleveland
The most distinctive aspect of Northeast Ohio weather is it’s heavily influenced by Lake Erie. Cleveland winter is marked by frigid temperatures and lake-effect snow. As cold air passes over the warmer lake water, the lower layer of air is heated and picks up water vapor. This rises through the colder air and freezes. It’s deposited as snow in Cleveland.
Winter starts in late December and ends in late March. Cleveland winter brings freezing, windy, and snowy weather. Be prepared for the Cleveland wind chill advisories, winter storms, and sometimes significant snowfall – especially if you’re on the East Side!
How much snow in Cleveland Ohio is normal? You can expect about 64” per year – more than double the U.S. average! The coldest temperature in Cleveland Ohio ever recorded was 20 degrees below zero, but the average winter low is 22° to 28°F with an average high of 36° to 40°F.
Surviving Cleveland Ohio winter weather means getting up early to defrost the car and slower commutes, but it comes with the beauty of frozen waterfalls, soft blankets of snow, and quiet scenery.
If you aren’t a fan of the cold, there are plenty of fun winter activities in Cleveland, Ohio that can change your perspective on winter. From ice skating at Public Square during Winterfest and riding the toboggan chutes to Holiday Circlefest in University Circle, Winter Beerfest, and the Brite Winter music festival, there’s still plenty to keep you busy!
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Cleveland Monthly Weather | Cleveland Average Temperatures
January
January is the coldest month in Cleveland Ohio with a mean daily temperature of 29.1°F. Brace yourself for a frigid average low of 22.3°F with an average daily high temperature of 35.8°F. The average overnight temperature is 18.8°F.
It’s also the rainiest and snowiest month of the year with 11 snow days and 15 rainy days on average that drop 2.3” of precipitation and more than 18” of snow.
February
February is the driest month with 12.5 average rainy days and 2.1” of rainfall. You’ll get an average of 8 snowy days in February with 11.6” of snow. The average Cleveland temp in February is 31.1°F with an average low of 23.7° and an average high of 38.5°.
March
March weather is crisp with an average low of 30.7° and an average high of 47.1F°. It marks the end of winter, but you’ll still get a mix of snow and rain with a good chance of slushy roads. There are 13 rainy days and 6 snowy days on average in March with 9.7” of average snowfall.
April
Cleveland April weather is pleasant and cool. This is the last month with regular snowfall with just two snowy days on average that deliver 2.5” of snowfall. The average April temperature in Cleveland Ohio is 50.4°F with an average low of 40.8° and a high of 60.1°.
May
May weather in Cleveland Ohio is comfortable with crisp days that aren’t too cool or too warm. The average low is 51.4° with an average daytime high of 71.1°F. It’s also the start of the rainiest season with 13 average rainy days and 3.6” of rainfall. It’s the perfect weather in Cleveland to enjoy the outdoors – but make sure you bring a raincoat and umbrella!
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June
June in Cleveland is warm with fewer rainy days than May but more rainfall. The average Cleveland Ohio temperature in June is 70.4°F with an average daytime low of 61.1° and a daytime high of 79.8°F. There are only 11 average rainy days in June but 3.6” of rain.
July
July is the hottest month in Cleveland with a mean daytime temperature of 74.5°F. The average high is 83.7° with an average low of 65.3°F. Be prepared for very hot days – on average, 4 days in July have highs above 90 degrees! About 13 days on average are muggy with 10 rainy days. July is one of the wettest months of the year with 3.7” of rain on average.
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August
August is mid-summer in Cleveland and a popular time to visit, but the average Cleveland temperature is still high despite a bit of a drop from July. The mean temperature in August is 73° with an average low of 63.9° and a daytime high of 82.0°F. August is one of the wettest months with 10 average rainy days and 3.7” of rainfall.
September
The weather in Cleveland in September is very comfortable and it’s one of the best times to visit – as long as you’re prepared for some rain. While the leaves are preparing to change colors, you’ll enjoy an average high of 63.7° with an average low of 57.1°F, perfectly temperate for enjoying fall activities.
Cleveland September weather is very rainy, though; it gets an average of 3.6” of rainfall despite having the lowest number of rainy days. Because the weather can be unpredictable, it’s a good idea to dress in layers.
October
Cleveland weather in October is very mild and pleasant with a mean temperature of 55.1°. The average daily high temperature is 63.7° with a low of 46.5°F. October is the driest month of fall with just 3” of rainfall over an average of 12 days.
November
Cleveland October weather is chillier than October and perfect sweater weather with a daily mean of 44.0°F. The average high is 51.3° with an average daytime low of 36.7°. The record low for November is 0°F.
November marks the start of snow in Cleveland Ohio, even though winter doesn’t officially start until December. You’ll get just as much rain as you will snow with two snowy days producing an average of 3” of snowfall and 14 rainy days with 3.4” of rain on average.
December
December is the start of Cleveland winter. The daily mean temperature is a cold 34.3°F with an average low of 28.2° and a daytime high of 40.4°F. The coldest December temperature ever recorded is -15°F.
December gets an average of 12.1” of Cleveland snowfall over 8 days with 3” of rain spread across 15 rainy days.
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Annual Cleveland Climate Statistics
- Average number of sunny days: 166
- Average rainfall: 41”
- Average snowfall: 63.8”
- Coldest month: January
- Hottest month: July
- Driest month: February (2.1”)
- Wettest month: July & August (3.7”)
- Rainiest month: January (15 days)
- Most humid month: July (62%)
- Snowiest month: January (15”)
- Sunniest month: July
- Cleveland record cold temperature: -20°F (January 19, 1994)
- Cleveland record high temperature: 104°F (June 25, 1988)
Extreme Weather in Cleveland –Winter Storms & Flooding Are the Biggest Risks
Like most regions, Northeast Ohio gets its fair share of extreme weather. This usually comes in the form of the following:
- Winter storms
- Severe thunderstorms, usually in summer
- Hail
- High winds
- Flooding
- Tornadoes
The Cleveland area gets a good amount of flooding that can happen throughout the year. Flooding is the most deadly type of extreme weather in the United States, usually when people are trapped in a car that’s swept away.
Peak tornado season in Cleveland is May to July. Severe tornadoes are not extremely common but they do hit the area. The most recent F2 tornado in the area struck Wooster in 2010 with 130mph winds.
Winter storms in Cleveland, Ohio are the most troublesome and difficult type of extreme weather for most residents. Cleveland experiences heavy snowfall with lake-effect snow starting in mid-November and continuing until Lake Erie freezes, usually in late January to early February.
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There’s always more snowfall on the East Side. The far West Side has only achieved 100” of snowfall in a season three times since 1893, but this much seasonal snowfall is not uncommon on the far West Side where the Snow Belt begins and extends into the suburbs and up to Buffalo, NY.
Snow storms are common throughout the season. In 2022, the first winter storm dropped 10” of snow at once with up to 25” falling in the snow belt. January 2022 got over 24” of snow alone, well above average for January. About 70% of typical annual Cleveland snow fell within just 5 weeks (37.5”) between January and February with only seven days with no snow.
Best Time to Visit Cleveland
The best time to visit Cleveland, Ohio is April to May for comfortable spring weather and cherry blossoms or September to October for perfectly cool autumn weather with drizzling rain and fall foliage. During mid-spring, you can enjoy some of the city’s top events like the Cleveland International Film Festival in March to April and the Tremont Greek Festival and Hessler Street Fair in May. In late August and September, be sure to catch the Cleveland Air Show and stop by the Cleveland Garlic Festival!
Once you get used to the snow and rainy days, you’ll come to appreciate the Cleveland climate which delivers beautiful spring flowers, summers that aren’t too hot, and crisp autumn plus snowy winters that are just magical despite the traffic.
Are you considering moving to Cleveland? Give us a call at Summit Moving & Storage for a free moving estimate. Our five-star movers look forward to making your relocation as easy and stress-free as possible, no matter the season!
