Discover the Absolute Hottest Place in Ohio

Most of Ohio is classified as a humid continental or humid subtropical climate. Generally speaking, the state is known for its cool to cold winters and hot, humid summers. But where is the hottest location in the entire state?

The Hottest Place in Ohio

July is the hottest month of the year in Ohio. When the average high temperatures in July are analyzed, there is no “one hottest place” in the state. There is, however, a region that is generally the warmest in the middle of the summer. It is found in the most southerly reaches of the state.

Burlington is the southernmost point in Ohio and also sees some of the highest July temperatures, with an average high of 87°F. Burlington’s population is just under 3,000 people.

Other extreme southern Ohio towns such as Portsmouth also see 87°F average high temperatures in July. Around 18,000 people call Portsmouth home.

The area of southern Ohio between Portsmouth and the state’s border with Huntington, West Virginia, is, on average, the hottest region in the state.

This southernmost area of Ohio is dotted with small towns but is mostly rural. The region features a large population of white-tailed deer (the official state mammal of Ohio), along with many other Ohio animals, such as raccoons, skunks, squirrels, coyotes, and rabbits. The region is also home to a wide variety of birds, including Ohio’s state bird, the northern cardinal.

There is an interesting aberration in mapping out the hottest regions of Ohio, though. Dayton also features an average July high temperature of 87°F. Dayton is nearly 100 miles northwest of Portsmouth and is Ohio’s sixth most-populous city, with nearly 136,000 residents.

July in Ohio’s Biggest Cities

Cincinnati sees the hottest temperatures of Ohio’s three largest cities. Not surprisingly, it is also the southernmost of the state’s major cities. Cincinnati’s average high temperature rises to 86°F in July. 

Ohio’s other two biggest cities also see average high temperatures in the 80s during July. Columbus has an average high of 85°F in July, while Cleveland averages 81°F.

Hottest Temperatures Ever in Ohio

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Cincinnati was 107°F on July 10, 1988. The summer of 1988 was a scorcher for all of the Buckeye State. Cleveland also set its record high temperature that summer when the city hit 104°F on June 25.

The highest-ever temperature recorded in Columbus was on July 14, 1936, when the mercury soared to 107°F.

Two years earlier, Ohio saw the hottest temperature ever recorded in the state. Gallipolis, a small town in southern Ohio, set the record for the highest temperature ever in the state on July 21, 1934, when the temperature rose to a sweltering 113°F. Around 3,300 people live in Gallipolis today.

Where is Portsmouth Located on a Map?

Portsmouth is located in southern Ohio, is a city within Scioto County and serves as its county seat. It is positioned approximately 41 miles to the south of Chillicothe.

Here it is on a map:

Summer Activities in Ohio

While many are not interested in venturing outside when the mercury hits triple digits, the more temperate average highs in the mid-80s beckon Ohioans to go outside and enjoy the summer.

Southern Ohio, where the hottest July temperatures are often found, sits on the Ohio River. The river is a haven for boaters during the summer. It is also a great place to cast a line. Anglers target the huge channel, flathead, and blue catfish that inhabit the river. They also fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as white, striped, and hybrid striped bass.

Many of the small towns in the area hold annual fairs and festivals during the summer. It’s an excellent opportunity to see neighbors, enjoy music, view crafts and livestock projects from local youngsters, and, of course, eat copious amounts of food.

Ohio also offers 75 state parks. Some of the state parks in southern Ohio include Shawnee, Jackson Lake, Forked Run, Lake White, Pike Lake, Rocky Fork, Adams Lake, East Fork, and Stonelick State Parks. Admission is free in all of Ohio’s state parks, making them great places to enjoy the summer. 

The Coldest Place in Ohio

If the heat isn’t your thing, you might be interested in seeking out the coldest place in Ohio. That honorific goes to Canfield, ten miles southwest of Youngstown. Canfield’s average low temperature in January is 17°F.

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