The Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded in Ohio Will Make You Sweat Just Thinking About It

Written by Luke Stevens
Published: May 30, 2023
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Introduction

Nestled in between Indiana and Pennsylvania, Ohio was the 17th state established in the United States. The state is known for its major cities such as Cleveland and Columbus, and its generally flat geography. Because Ohio is so flat, it is a major hotspot in the eastern United States for agriculture. Agriculture is the state’s largest industry, providing thousands of jobs and opportunities to Ohio residents. Ohio’s temperate climate is ideal for growing crops, but occasionally the weather is unpredictable. Keep reading to find out about the hottest temperature ever recorded in Ohio.

ohio river boat

Nestled in between Indiana and Pennsylvania, Ohio was the 17th state established in the United States.

©vadim kozlovsky/Shutterstock.com

Average Temperatures in Ohio

Ohio varies from cold winters to fairly warm and even hot summers across the state. Here is a report of the average temperatures in Ohio during each season.

Spring

During the spring months of March, April, and May, Ohio temperatures begin to increase from the chill of the previous winter. In northern Ohio, spring temperatures range from 35 degrees Fahrenheit (around two degrees Celsius) to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius). In the southern region of the state, temperates are as cold as 40 degrees Fahrenheit (four degrees Celsius) and as hot as 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).

Summer

In the summer months of June, July, and August, Ohio is significantly warmer than the spring season. In Northern Ohio, it is rare for temperatures to drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius), and they hardly ever exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). Heading south, temperatures are fairly similar. Temperatures are at their coldest around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius), and heat up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). These numbers are still far below the hottest temperature ever recorded in Ohio.

Fall

Temperatures begin to fall in Ohio during the fall months of September, October, and November. Northern Ohio is fairly similar in climate during the spring and fall seasons. In the fall, temperatures range from 40 degrees Fahrenheit (four degrees Celsius) to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius). In the southern counties of Ohio, temperatures are almost identical, ranging from 40 degrees Fahrenheit (four degrees Celsius) to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).

Winter

Ohio gets significantly colder in the winter months of December, January, and February than at any other time during the year. Northern Ohio temperatures are the coldest, ranging from 15 degrees Fahrenheit (negative nine degrees Celsius) to around 35 degrees Fahrenheit (two degrees Celsius). Southern Ohio is slightly warmer during the winter. Temperatures reach a low of 18 degrees Fahrenheit (negative seven degrees Celsius) and a high of 40 degrees Fahrenheit (four degrees Celsius).

The Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded in Ohio

Gallipolis, Ohio, USA.

This extremely hot day was in the town of Gallipolis, Ohio, located on the southeastern border of the state.

©Tudoran Andrei/Shutterstock.com

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Ohio occurred on July 21, 1934. That day, the recorded temperature was a staggering 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius)! This extremely hot day was in the town of Gallipolis, Ohio, located on the southeastern border of the state.

According to Ohio state records, the summer of 1934 was the hottest summer ever recorded in the state’s long history. The average temperature for the months of June, July, and August was around 76 degrees, Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius). Due to water supply issues during the Great Depression, there was little to no moisture retained in the Ohio soil. Usually, water in the soil and crops evaporates when temperatures reach a certain threshold. Without the presence of water, however, surfaces could not be cooled off due to evaporation, causing temperatures to skyrocket.

This unprecedented heatwave in Ohio occurred before the invention of air conditioning units, making the summer heat especially unbearable. During the week of Ohio’s hottest day, it is estimated that around 160 individuals perished from heat exhaustion. Many people could not bear to stay in their homes, resorting to sleeping on their lawns, porches, and roofs in order to escape the heat.

Wildlife in Ohio

A white-tailed deer stands in a grassy field

White-tailed deer have adapted to many different habitats such as grasslands, forests, and even urban areas. They are an iconic symbol of nature’s beauty and grace.

©iStock.com/Wirestock

Ohio is home to an abundance of wildlife due to its many forests, fields, and wetlands. One of the most common animals in the state is the white-tail deer. There are estimated to be around 600,000 white-tail deer living in the state of Ohio currently. They can be found all over the state in suburban areas, forests, and even some farmlands. The white-tail deer currently holds the title of the Ohio state animal.

Coyotes can also be found in Ohio. While the coyote is most commonly found in the open desert spaces of the West and is not native to Ohio, it is prevalent throughout the state. Because the coyote is a predator to many small animals and livestock, it can make almost anywhere it’s home. There is no official estimate on how many coyotes are in Ohio, but they can be found in all 88 counties. The coyote population in Ohio readily increased throughout the 1990s, but has since leveled off.

A common bird spotted in Ohio that is unusual in other areas is the ring-necked pheasant. These birds thrive off of the nutrient-rich farmlands that spread out across all of Ohio. They have a current estimated population of around 4,000 within the borders of the state.

Animals that can Survive High Temperatures

Ruppell's sand fox is a fox living in desert region

Native to Iran’s Lut Desert, the Rüppell’s fox has adapted to be able to withstand extreme temperatures.

©Musafar Ali KP/Shutterstock.com

In certain climates, animals are forced to adapt to extremely high temperatures in order to survive and flourish. Here are some animals that can live through extreme heat.

Camel

Camels are most commonly found in deserts in the eastern hemisphere, meaning they have to be able to withstand very high temperatures. An unusual feature that camels have allowing them to regulate heat more efficiently is their humps. Camels store a majority of their body fat within their humps, which makes it easier for them to release heat from their bodies. They also have pads on their feet and joints that are resistant to heat, allowing them to travel long distances on hot surfaces.

Rüppell’s Fox

Native to Iran’s Lut Desert, the Rüppell’s fox has adapted to be able to withstand extreme temperatures. Due to their home being in the desert, these animals are experts at conserving water. They often hunt at night in order to avoid losing moisture through sweat. These foxes get their water from eating prey, making hunting in the dark imperative. Another way that the Rüppell’s fox conserves water is through its urine. Rüppell’s foxes have a special type of concentrated urine that minimizes the loss of excess moisture when they have to relieve themselves.

Desert Tortoise

Found in the deserts of the western United States and Mexico, the desert tortoise often has to withstand surface temperatures of around 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). The tortoise does this by burrowing into the ground and creating a subterranean habitat. The desert tortoise spends about 98 percent of its time underground in order to escape the heat. They also have high-domed shells that allow them to have extra lung capacity. This makes internal temperature regulation much easier for the desert tortoise.

Ostrich

Native to Africa, Ostriches are made to withstand harsh temperatures. The world’s largest bird is often very distinguishable due to its long neck, which also helps it regulate temperature. The ostrich’s neck separates its head dramatically from the rest of its body. This protects the brain from concentrated heat from the body and allows the ostrich to continue functioning properly. While the ostrich cannot fly, its large wings serve another important purpose. The ostrich often uses its wings to shield the rest of its body from the sun’s harsh heat, allowing it to stay cool. This is incredibly important because the ostrich has bare skin underneath its wings. The bird receives its water intake from the various plants it consumes.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

My name is Luke, and I currently a student at the University of Southern California. I love the outdoors, learning, and writing. I am also involved in several groups focusing on the entertainment industry and business administration. My favorite animals are dogs, koala bears, and dolphins.

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