Cincinnati Weather and Climate

Cincinnati is situated within a weather transition zone. The southern part of the area, from around the Ohio River, extends to the far northern limit of the humid subtropical climate; the north area of the region is within the intense southern cusp of the humid continental weather condition. Proof of the two, humid continental weather conditions and wetter subtropical weather conditions, are found here. Existence of vegetation is suggestive to the weather conditions in the area which indicate both climate regions. For instance the presence of the Needle Palm, Aucuba, Crape-myrtle and Southern magnolia in the subtropics, as well as, the Eastern Hemlock, and Glowing Blue Spruce from the chillier areas. In this area, the USDA weather zone rating may differ in conditions going from warm to cold temperatures. The warmest areas tend to be located nearest to the Ohio River.

Important moderating factors for the general weather conditions are:

• North- Great Miami River: Because this area is constructed in the Miami Valley which is a glaciated flat plateau, Hamilton and downtown Dayton are affected due to urban heat island effect.
• Suburban: In Florence, West Chester and Mason the area is filled with many large parking lots which take up a large portion of the land, which in turn creates a heat island effect in the area.
• South and Central- Ohio River, Licking River: the Cincinnati- Northern Kentucky cities of Downtown Cincinnati, Newport and Covington are in close proximity to this area which is relatively large hills and valley but due to the close proximity, an island heat effect is experienced.

General Weather Conditions:

By most, temperatures in the Greater Cincinnati metropolis are classified as "average". The area experiences hot and humid summers. Winter months are typically cold with sporadic snow. The highest recorded temperature in the area was recorded in 1934 at 109 degrees and the record low was recorded in 1977 at minus 24 degrees.