If you’ve spent any time in Central Ohio, you know the drill. You wake up to a frost-covered windshield in April, and by lunchtime, you’re stripping off layers because it’s suddenly 70 degrees. That is basically the essence of upper arlington ohio weather. It is a suburb that perfectly captures the "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes" energy of the Midwest.
Honestly, it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about how the community shifts with the sky. You see it in the way the Scioto River looks under a heavy January fog versus a crisp October afternoon.
What to Actually Expect from Upper Arlington Ohio Weather
Living here means owning a very high-quality ice scraper and a very large umbrella. You’ll use both. Often in the same week.
Upper Arlington sits just northwest of Columbus, and while it shares much of the city's climate, the mature tree canopy in neighborhoods like Old Arlington creates these little micro-pockets of shade and wind protection. Statistically, the temperature typically swings between 22°F and 84°F throughout the year. It rarely dips below 5°F or climbs over 91°F, though 2024 and 2025 have seen some weirdly stubborn heat waves.
The Breakdown by Season
Winter is a bit of a grind. It’s gray. January is officially the cloudiest month, with the sky being overcast or mostly cloudy about 61% of the time. You aren’t getting a ton of sun. Snowfall averages around 22 inches annually, but it's rarely the "pretty" kind that stays. It usually falls, melts into a slushy mess by 2:00 PM, and freezes into a sheet of ice by sunset.
Spring is a tease. It officially starts in March, but "real" spring usually waits until May. April is notoriously rainy—it's actually one of the wettest months alongside June. If you're planning on planting flowers, most locals will tell you to wait until after Mother's Day. The risk of a rogue frost is just too high before then.
Summer is humid. There is no way around it. July is the hottest month, with average highs hitting 84°F or 85°F. But it’s the dew point that gets you. The air feels heavy, sort of like a warm wet blanket. This is when the "Dog Days" hit, and unless you’re at the Tremont Pool, you’re probably hiding in the AC.
💡 You might also like: Sexy Boobs No Bra: Why the Braless Trend is Reshaping Fashion and Breast Health
Fall is the gold medal winner. October is arguably the best time to experience upper arlington ohio weather. The humidity drops, the sun stays out, and the highs hover in the mid-60s. It’s perfect for the high school football games at Marv Moorehead Stadium.
The Surprising Data Behind the Clouds
Most people think it’s always raining here. It’s not. It’s just always threatening to rain.
Upper Arlington gets about 42 inches of precipitation a year. That’s actually more than some parts of the Pacific Northwest, but we get ours in big bursts rather than constant drizzle.
- Wettest Months: June and April.
- Sunniest Month: July (averaging nearly 10 hours of sunshine a day).
- Coldest Day: Usually January 29th.
- Hottest Day: Usually July 20th.
Wind is another factor people forget. Because the area is relatively flat, those winter winds can feel like they’re cutting right through your coat. Average wind speeds stay around 9 mph in the winter but can gust much higher during those quick-moving summer thunderstorms.
Dealing with the "Gray"
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing in Central Ohio. From November to March, the sun is a rare guest. Many residents swear by "happy lamps" or just planning a trip to Florida in February. If you’re moving here from somewhere like Colorado or Arizona, the lack of blue sky in the winter will be the biggest adjustment you have to make.
Severe Weather Realities
We do get tornadoes. It’s a part of life in the Midwest. While Upper Arlington isn’t in a "tornado alley" per se, Franklin County sees its fair share of sirens every spring and summer. Most of the time, it’s just high winds and some downed tree limbs, but you’ve gotta have a plan for the basement.
The heat can also be a quiet danger. In recent years, we’ve seen more days where the heat index climbs into the 100s. For the older residents in the community, this is often more dangerous than the cold.
Practical Survival Tips for the Local Climate
If you want to handle the upper arlington ohio weather like a pro, you need to change how you think about your wardrobe and your home.
- The Layering Rule: Never trust a sunny morning. Wear a light jacket over a sweater. You’ll probably be carrying the jacket by noon.
- Basement Checks: Since we get heavy rain in the spring, make sure your sump pump is actually working. Flooded basements are a common (and expensive) headache in the area.
- Car Care: Use a ceramic coating or at least a good wax before winter. The salt they put on the roads here to melt ice will eat your car's paint for breakfast.
- Tire Choice: You don't necessarily need a 4x4 truck, but a good set of all-season tires is non-negotiable.
The weather here is a conversation starter. It’s the thing you talk about with the person behind you in line at the Giant Eagle on Kingsdale. It’s unpredictable, occasionally annoying, but it also gives us those perfect fall days that make everything else worth it.
💡 You might also like: Bay To Breakers Nudes: What Most People Get Wrong About San Francisco’s Bare Tradition
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your home's gutter system before the heavy April rains begin to prevent foundation saturation. If you are new to the area, download a reliable local radar app; the national ones often miss the small, fast-moving cells that pop up over the Scioto River during the humid summer months.