Much to the potential annoyance of many, parts of Ohio- including Columbus are predicted to see a late-season snowfall Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. As late as it may seem, Columbus has seen even later season snowfalls since 1878. Though rare, these events do happen, and have sometimes been significant.
The US weather map on the morning of May 21, 1883.
The absolute latest measurable snow occurred on May 21st, 1883, when 0.4″ fell. The amount was not impactful, but the date certainly was. People are normally thinking about summer by then, but instead got a nasty taste of winter. The present-day I-71 corridor in the state generally had had an inch or less- Cincinnati had upwards of 2″, with 3″ near Hamilton. However, areas just to the north and west were hammered with the heaviest May snow ever recorded.
An excerpt from the book “Thunder in the Heartland” by Thomas W. Schmidlin: “A drizzling rain on Monday morning, 21 May, turned to snow at 9AM, and the air was filled with large, damp flakes all day. The Sidney Journal reported that ‘though it thawed, it lay six inches deep on Tuesday morning.’ Considering that much of the snow melted as it fell, a total of fifteen to twenty inches was estimated for Sidney. Snow depts of ten inches were measured on the north side of buildings at Houston in Shelby County.”
The Columbus Dispatch reported that snow fell in every major city from Lancaster north and west. Crops and trees were damaged by the heavy, wet snow across Western Ohio during the event. Temperatures at most locations were at or above freezing during the snow, so it did not stick around long after. Just 3 days later, it hit 80 degrees in Columbus.
Dates of Measurable Snowfalls After April 15th 1. May 21, 1883: 0.4″ 2. May 9, 1923: 0.3″ 3. May 7, 1989: 0.8″ 4. April 30, 1908: 2.4″ 5. April 24, 2005: 3.0″ 6. April 22, 1893: 0.8″ 6. April 22, 1901: 0.1″ 7. April 21, 1934: 0.4″ 7. April 21, 1936: 0.2″ 7. April 21, 1953: 0.2″ 8. April 20, 1910: 2.4″ 8. April 20, 1962: 0.1″ 9. April 19, 1887: 0.1″ 9. April 19, 1907: 0.4″ 9. April 19, 1969: 0.5″ 9. April 19, 2019: 0.3″ 10. April 18, 1983: 0.1″ 10. April 18, 1984: 0.3″ 11. April 17, 1961: 1.0″ 11. April 17, 2001: 0.6″ 12. April 16, 1935: 0.4″ 12. April 16, 1956: 0.3″ 12. April 16, 1996: 0.1″
Trace amounts have occurred many additional times after April 15th, including into early May. Measurable snow, however, has only occurred 23 times after April 15th since 1878. So snow after that date has occurred roughly once out of every 6.2 years. That rate is not going to be matched this time, as measurable snow fell on April 19th last year. Snow is predicted sometime tomorrow night, the 20th. If it ends up being measurable, it would fall into the tie of 8th latest such ever recorded.
Let’s be honest, Summer 2020 is hardly shaping up to be one of swimming pools and BBQs and beach vacations. With the virus continuing to rage nationally, it’s going to be the kind of summer many people watch from their porches or couches. So in that sense, 2020 certainly ranks up there as one of the worst summers ever. On the other hand, there’s probably going to be a bit less concern as to how the weather is. Still, here’s a look back on the best and worst Columbus summers when it comes to weather.
I used a basic ranking system, much like I did with my Worst Winters of All Time post a few years back, to determine the severity of each summer’s weather. Here was the point system I used.
On temperature, I added one point for each of the following: -# of 86 or Above Highs -# of 70 or Above Lows -# of 70 or Below Highs -# of 50 or Below Lows Each earned the summer a point for each day that featured these conditions, as either extreme heat or low temperatures during summer are generally considered a negative.
With precipitation, I added one point for each of the following: -# of days with measurable precipitation. -# of days with at least 1″+ of precipitation.
The more points a summer got, the worse the weather was overall.
If you like either very hot, very wet or summers with a combination of both conditions, these ones were for you. It’s no surprise the 1930s and 1940s show up often. Every summer between 1930 and 1944 had hotter than normal conditions. No other similar period has matched it.
The 1960s had the best average score, with the 1940s easily claiming the top prize for worst. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 2010s featured more crappy ones than not.
The Winter 2019-2020 Review has arrived! Aside some a few instances, winter was largely absent in Ohio for the 2019-2020 season. The season was bookended by periods of cold while the heart of winter was one of the warmest on record. Along with the warmth, precipitation was high throughout the season, but that didn’t translate into much snow.
Temperature and snowfall ranking data goes back to the winter of 1878-1879. Snow depth ranking data goes back to 1940.
December-February Only Average High: 43.5 11th Warmest Average Low: 28.3 9th Warmest Mean: 35.9 10th Warmest Precipitation: 9.69″ 29th Wettest Snowfall: 8.3″ 16th Least Snowiest Average Daily Snow Depth: 0.1″ 2nd Lowest Largest Snowstorm: 2.2″ December 15th-16th 32 or Below Highs: 12 6th Fewest 32 or Below Lows: 65 13th Fewest Measurable Precipitation Days: 34 10th Fewest Measurable Snowfall Days: 13 9th Fewest Deepest Snow Depth: 2″ on February 9th Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 5 3rd Fewest
Entire Cold Season- October-April Average High: 51.9 10th Warmest Average Low: 34.1 17th Warmest Mean: 43.0 11th Warmest Precipitation: 27.60″ 6th Wettest Snowfall: 11.7″ 18th Least Snowiest Average Snow Depth: 0.1″ 2nd Lowest Largest Snowstorm: 2.8″ November 11th-12th 32 or Below Highs: 14 4th Fewest 32 or Below Lows: 98 17th Fewest Measurable Precipitation Days: 87 18th Most Measurable Snowfall Days: 16 7th Fewest Deepest Snow Depth: 2″ on February 9th Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 8 5th Fewest
Average High By Month October 2019: 69.8 13th Warmest November 2019: 47.3 21st Coldest December 2019: 45.9 12th Warmest January 2020: 43.3 16th Warmest February 2020: 41.2 35th Warmest March 2020: 55.4 18th Warmest April 2020: 59.6 21st Coldest
Average Low By Month October 2019: 47.0 26th Warmest November 2019: 30.3 9th Coldest December 2019: 28.8 28th Warmest January 2020: 30.1 8th Warmest February 2020: 25.9 35th Warmest March 2020: 37.6 13th Warmest April 2020: 38.7 16th Coldest
Mean By Month October 2019: 58.4 18th Warmest November 2019: 38.8 12th Coldest December 2019: 37.4 18th Warmest January 2020: 36.7 13th Warmest February 2020: 33.6 38th Warmest March 2020: 46.5 13th Warmest April 2020: 49.2 23rd Coldest
The 2019-2020 winter months were full of extremes, and most months ended up in either the top 20 coldest or warmest ever recorded.
Precipitation By Month October 2019: 4.05″ 19th Wettest November 2019: 1.48″ 24th Driest December 2019: 2.76″ 62nd Wettest January 2020: 4.37″ 25th Wettest February 2020: 2.56″ 54th Wettest March 2020: 8.16″ 2nd Wettest April 2020: 4.22″ 32nd Wettest
Snowfall By Month October 2019: Trace 2nd Least Snowiest November 2019: 2.8″ 22nd Snowiest December 2019: 2.3″ 23rd Least Snowiest January 2020: 0.3″ 3rd Least Snowiest February 2020: 5.7″ 47th Snowiest March 2020: 0.6″ 5th Least Snowiest April 2020: Trace 2nd Least Snowiest
As with temperature, precipitation and snowfall varied wildly as well, but generally most months were wetter than normal and less snowy than normal.
Average Snow Depth By Month October 2019: 0.0″ November 2019: 0.2″ December 2019: 0.1″ January 2020: Trace February 2020: 0.2″ March 2020: Trace April 2020: 0.0″
Maximum High By Month October: 94 on the 1st and 2nd November: 59 on the 27th December: 62 on the 27th January: 71 on the 11th February: 63 on the 3rd March: 76 on the 28th April: 77 on the 7th
Maximum High Records -The 94 on October 1st was a record for the date, beating the old record of 89 set in 1952. This is also the warmest October temperature ever recorded, beating the old October record of 91 set in 2007. -The 94 on October 2nd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 88 set in 1919. This also ties for the warmest October temperature ever, set on October 1st, 2019, the previous day. -The 93 on October 3rd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 89 set in 1898 and 1953. -The 71 on January 11th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 66 set in 1886 and 1890. -The 63 on February 3rd tied the old record set in 1890.
Minimum High By Month October: 55 on the 12th November: 28 on the 12th and 13th December: 29 on the 18th January: 28 on the 20th February: 24 on the 14th March: 38 on the 21st April: 45 on the 10th
Minimum High Records -The 28 on the 12th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 30 set in 1920.
Maximum Low By Month October: 68 on the 2nd November: 39 on the 21st and 27th December: 47 on the 9th and 29th January: 53 on the 11th February: 39 on the 25th March: 55 on the 29th April: 53 on the 8th
Maximum Low Records -The 45 on January 10th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 43 set in 1960.
Minimum Low By Month October: 35 on the 31st November: 11 on the 13th December: 13 on the 19th January: 12 on the 20th February: 13 on the 15th and 21st March: 19 on the 1st April: 26 on the 16th
Minimum Low Records -The 15 on November 12th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 16 set in 1911. -The 11 on November 13th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 14 set in 1911.
Highest Daily Precipitation By Month October: 1.51″ on the 31st November: 0.33″ on the 27th December: 1.20″ on the 29th January: 1.13″ on the 18th February: 0.57″ on the 12th March: 2.89″ on the 20th April: 0.66″ on the 7th
Precipitation Records -The 1.51″ on October 31st was a record for the date, beating the old record of 1.44″ set in 1932. -The 1.20″ on December 29th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 1.13″ set in 1915. -The 1.13″ on January 18th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 0.79″ set in 1927. -The 1.31″ on March 4th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 0.74″ set in 1951. -The 2.89″ that fell on March 20th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 1.60″ set in 1984.
Highest Daily Snowfall By Month October: Trace on the 31st November: 2.1″ on the 12th December: 1.5″ on the 15th January: 0.2″ on the 25th February: 1.8″ on the 8th March: 0.6″ on the 14th April: Trace on the 15th and 17th
Snowfall Records -The 2.1″ on November 11th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 0.5″ set in 1983.
Deepest Snow Depth By Month October: 0″ November: 3″ on the 12th December: 2″ on the 16th January: Trace on the 19th and 20th February: 2″ on the 29th March: Trace on the 15th April: 0″
What most of Winter 2016-2017 looked like in Ohio.
The Winter 2016-2017 Review supports that the season was one of the warmest, least snowy winters on record. Depending on your viewpoint, that was either a really good or really bad thing.
Temperature and snowfall ranking data goes back to the winter of 1878-1879. Snow depth ranking data goes back to 1940.
December-February Only Average High: 44.4 7th Warmest Average Low: 29.5 6th Warmest Mean: 37.0 6th Warmest Precipitation: 8.55″ 49th Wettest Snowfall: 7.6″ 13th Least Snowy Average Daily Snow Depth: 0.1″ 2nd Lowest 32 or Below Highs: 17 11th Fewest 32 or Below Lows: 54 5th Fewest Measurable Precipitation Days: 43 10th Most Measurable Snowfall Days: 10 6th Fewest Deepest Snow Depth: 3″ on December 14th Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 7 5th Fewest
Entire Cold Season: October-April Average High: 54.8 1st Warmest Average Low: 36.7 5th Warmest Mean: 45.8 1st Warmest Precipitation: 19.28″ 67th Driest Snowfall: 9.3″ 8th Least Snowy Average Snow Depth: 0.1″ 2nd Lowest 32 or Below Highs: 18 8th Fewest 32 or Below Lows: 80 5th Fewest Measurable Precipitation Days: 86 19th Most Measurable Snowfall Days: 15 6th Fewest Deepest Snow Depth: 3″ on December 14th Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 8 5th Fewest
Average High By Month October 2016: 69.3 17th Warmest November 2016: 57.7 7th Warmest December 2016: 38.7 38th Coldest January 2017: 43.5 14th Warmest February 2017: 51.8 1st Warmest March 2017: 52.1 36th Warmest April 2017: 71.1 1st Warmest
Average Low By Month October 2016: 49.1 14th Warmest November 2016: 36.3 26th Warmest December 2016: 26.2 50th Coldest January 2017: 30.1 8th Warmest February 2017: 32.6 4th Warmest March 2017: 34.1 32nd Warmest April 2017: 48.3 1st Warmest
Mean By Month October 2016: 59.2 12th Warmest November 2016: 47.0 13th Warmest December 2016: 32.4 44th Coldest January 2017: 36.8 12th Warmest February 2017: 42.2 1st Warmest March 2017: 43.1 35th Warmest April 2017: 59.7 1st Warmest
Precipitation By Month October 2016: 1.73″ 45th Driest November 2016: 1.02″ 13th Driest December 2016: 3.09″ 49th Wettest January 2017: 2.83″ 53rd Wettest February 2017: 2.63″ 51st Wettest March 2017: 5.39″ 15th Wettest April 2017: 2.59″ 44th Driest
Snowfall By Month October 2016: 0.0″ Least Snowy November 2016: Trace 2nd Least Snowy December 2016: 5.4″ 40th Snowiest January 2017: 1.6″ 13th Least Snowy February 2017: 0.6″ 4th Least Snowy March 2017: 1.7″ 27th Least Snowy April 2017: Trace 2nd Least Snowy
Average Snow Depth By Month October 2016: 0″ November 2016: 0″ December 2016: 0.3″ January 2017: Trace February 2017: 0.1″ March 2017: Trace April 2017: 0″
Maximum High By Month October 2016: 83 on the 18th November 2016: 80 on the 1st December 2016: 69 on the 26th January 2017: 67 on the 12th February 2017: 78 on the 24th March 2017: 77 on the 30th April 2017: 85 on the 26th and 30th
Record Highs -The 83 on October 18th tied the record for the date set in 1938. -The 80 on November 1st tied the record for the date set in 1950. This is also a tie for the warmest temperature ever recorded in November. -The 79 on November 2nd tied the record for the date set in 1897. -The 75 on November 18th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 73 set in 1954. -The 69 on November 26th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 62 set in 1889 and 1982. -The 67 on January 12th tied the record for the date set in 1916. -The 64 on January 17th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 62 set in 1952. -The 66 on February 18th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 63 set in 2011. -The 72 on February 23rd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 66 set in 1905 and 1986. -The 78 on February 24th was a record for the date in 3 ways: 1. It beat the old daily record of 72 set in 1961. 2. It beat the record for the warmest February temperature ever of 75 set on 2/26/2000. 3. It broke the record for the warmest temperature for meteorological winter (Dec-Feb) of all-time, beating the old record of 76 set on 12/3/1982.
Minimum High By Month October 2016: 52 on the 22nd November 2016: 35 on the 20th December 2016: 14 on the 15th January 2017: 16 on the 6th and 7th February 2017: 25 on the 3rd March 2017: 29 on the 14th April 2017: 49 on the 1st
Maximum Low By Month October 2016: 69 on the 18th November 2016: 56 on the 2nd December 2016: 48 on the 26th January 2017: 47 on the 17th February 2017: 59 on the 24th March 2017: 58 on the 25th April 2017: 63 on the 16th and 19th
Record Maximum Lows -The 69 on October 18th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 65 set in 2007. -The 54 on February 22nd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 51 set in 1930. -The 52 on February 23rd was a record for the date, beating the old record of 51 set in 1930. -The 59 on February 24th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 50 set in 2000. -The 58 on March 25th tied the record for the date set in 1949.
Minimum Low By Month October 2016: 35 on the 25th November 2016: 21 on the 22nd December 2016: 4 on the 15th and 16th January 2017: 6 on the 7th February 2017: 9 on the 4th March 2017: 15 on the 15th April 2017: 32 on the 8th
Highest Daily Precipitation By Month October 2016: 0.74″ on the 19th November 2016: 0.36″ on the 28th December 2016: 1.07″ on the 17th January 2017: 0.80″ on the 3rd February 2017: 0.76″ on the 7th March 2017: 1.53″ on the 26th April 2017: 0.80″ on the 9th
Highest Daily Snowfall By Month October 2016: 0.0″ November 2016: Trace on the 19th and 20th December 2016: 3.2″ on the 13th January 2017: 0.9″ on the 5th February 2017: 0.6″ on the 8th March 2017: 0.6″ on the 13th April 2017: Tract on the 6th and 7th
Deepest Snow Depth By Month October 2016: 0″ November 2016: 0″ December 2016: 3″ on the 14th January 2017: 1″ on the 6th February 2017: 1″ on the 9th and 10th March 2017: 1″ on the 14th April 2017: 0″
The mid-November 2014 cold wave that kickstarted a historic winter.
The Winter 2014-2015 Review details the historic season, with its bouts of extreme cold and heavy snowfall occurring in all months except December.
Temperature and snowfall ranking data goes back to the winter of 1878-1879. Snow depth ranking data goes back to 1940.
December-February Only Average High: 34.8 19th Coldest Average Low: 19.3 14th Coldest Mean: 27.1 15th Coldest Precipitation: 7.27″ 57th Driest Snowfall: 23.9″ 33rd Snowiest Average Daily Snow Depth: 0.9″ 15th Highest Largest Snowstorm: 6.8″ on February 21st 32 or Below Highs: 36 14th Most 32 or Below Lows: 76 13th Most Measurable Precipitation Days: 36 12th Fewest Measurable Snowfall Days: 15 11th Fewest Deepest Snow Depth: 6″ on February 21st Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 30 16th Most
Entire Cold Season: October-April Average High: 46.6 14th Coldest Average Low: 29.4 14th Coldest Mean: 38.0 14th Coldest Precipitation: 19.51″ 67th Wettest Snowfall: 33.4″ 28th Snowiest Average Snow Depth: 0.6″ 7th Lowest Largest Snowstorm: 6.8″ on February 21st 32 or Below Highs: 43 12th Most 32 or Below Lows: 116 17th Most Measurable Precipitation Days: 89 16th Most Measurable Snowfall Days: 22 13th Fewest Deepest Snow Depth: 6″ on February 21st Days with 1″+ Snow Depth: 45 8th Most
Average High By Month October 2014: 63.4 32nd Coldest November 2014: 45.7 9th Coldest December 2014: 42.1 33rd Warmest January 2015: 33.8 32nd Coldest February 2015: 28.6 5th Coldest March 2015: 47.6 37th Coldest April 2015: 63.5 34th Warmest
Average Low By Month October 2014: 45.4 37th Warmest November 2014: 30.0 6th Coldest December 2014: 29.9 19th Warmest January 2015: 18.1 33rd Coldest February 2015: 10.0 3rd Coldest March 2015: 28.1 22nd Coldest April 2015: 42.9 28th Warmest
Mean By Month October 2014: 54.4 35th Coldest November 2014: 37.9 7th Coldest December 2014: 36.0 27th Warmest January 2015: 26.0 31st Coldest February 2015: 19.3 2nd Coldest March 2015: 37.9 33rd Coldest April 2015: 53.2 28th Warmest
Precipitation By Month October 2014: 2.77″ 42nd Wettest November 2014: 1.46″ 22nd Driest December 2014: 2.70″ 63rd Driest January 2015: 2.87″ 51st Wettest February 2015: 1.70″ 45th Driest March 2015: 3.92″ 45th Wettest April 2015: 4.09″ 37th Wettest
Snowfall By Month October 2014: Trace 2nd Least Snowy November 2014: 4.1″ 15th Snowiest December 2014: Trace 2nd Least Snowy January 2015: 8.4″ 48th Snowiest February 2015: 15.5″ 8th Snowiest March 2015: 5.4″ 23rd Snowiest April 2015: 0.0″ 1st Least Snowy
Average Snow Depth By Month October 2014: 0″ November 2014: 0.4″ December 2014: 0″ January 2015: 0.8″ February 2015: 3.3″ March 2015: 1.1″ April 2015: 0″
Maximum High By Month October 2014: 86 on the 2nd November 2014: 69 on the 11th December 2014: 61 on the 1st January 2015: 59 on the 3rd February 2015: 56 on the 8th March 2015: 69 on the 16th April 2015: 79 on the 13th and 18th
Minimum High By Month October 2014: 49 on the 31st November 2014: 19 on the 18th December 2014: 26 on the 31st January 2015: 13 on the 7th February 2015: 8 on the 15th and 19th March 2015: 23 on the 5th and 6th April 2015: 50 on the 23rd
Minimum High Records -The 33 on November 14th was a record for the day, beating the old record of 34 set in 1900, 1908, 1911 and 1916. -The 19 on November 18th tied the record for the day set in 1904. -The 8 on February 15th was a record for the day, beating the old record of 12 set in 1920. -The 10 on February 16th was a record for the day, beating the old record of -The 8 on February 19th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 10 set in 1885. -The 18 on February 27th tied the record for the date set in 1888 and 1934. -The 25 on February 28th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 26 set in 1986.
Maximum Low By Month October 2014: 58 on the 13th and 14th November 2014: 47 on the 4th December 2014: 44 on the 23rd January 2015: 34 on the 18th and 21st February 2015: 41 on the 8th March 2015: 43 on the 16th April 2015: 57 on the 19th
Maximum Low Records -The 54 on November 30th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 53 set in 1998 and 2006.
Minimum Low By Month October 2014: 38 on the 4th, 26th and 31st November 2014: 12 on the 18th December 2014: 15 on the 15th January 2015: -6 on the 8th February 2015: -11 on the 24th March 2015: 4 on the 6th April 2015: 28 on the 24th
Minimum Low Records -The -11 on February 24th was a record for the date, beating the old record of -1 set in 1914. -The 0 on February 28th was a record for the date, beating the old record of 2 set in 1934. -The 28 on April 24th tied the record for the date set in 1930.
Highest Daily Precipitation By Month October 2014: 0.57″ on the 6th November 2014: 0.39″ on the 17th December 2014: 0.82″ on the 6th January 2015: 1.46″ on the 3rd February 2015: 0.55″ on the 1st March 2015: 0.63″ on the 14th April 2015: 0.66″ on the 2nd
Highest Daily Snowfall By Month October 2014: Trace on the 4th November 2014: 3.8″ on the 17th December 2014: Trace on the 10th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 31st January 2015: 3.7″ on the 6th February 2015: 6.8″ on the 21st March 2015: 3.6″ on the 1st April 2015: 0.0″
Snowfall Records -The 6.8″ on February 21st was a record for the day, beating the old record of 5.8″ set in 1893. -The 3.6″ on March 1st was a record for the date, beating the old record of 3.5″ set in 1954.
Deepest Snow Depth By Month October 2014: 0″ November 2014: 3″ on the 18th and 19th December 2014: 0″ January 2015: 3″ on the 6th, 7th and 9th February 2015: 6″ on the 21st March 2015: 6″ on the 1st and 2nd April 2015: 0″
