OHIO — The National Weather Service recently released its climate survey for August, showing above average temperatures for most of the Buckeye State along with lower rainfall in certain areas too.

According to NWS Wilmington, which covers 52 counties across southeastern Indiana, southwestern Ohio, and northern Kentucky, it was the first month since November a tornado was not confirmed within its counties.

What You Need To Know

  • Throughout the month, NWS Wilmington said temperatures varied each week for Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus

  • Near the end of August, a heat wave swept through that brought record breaking temperatures to all three cities, the warmest temperatures felt since 2012

  • NWS Wilmington said large portions of the lower Scioto Valley and southern central Ohio areas face "extreme" drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor

  • NWS Cleveland reported slightly above average temperatures for northern Ohio and while precipitation came, in some areas it still remained below normal 

Throughout the month, NWS Wilmington said temperatures varied each week for Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus. During the first week, all three cities saw above average temperatures above 90 degrees. During the second week, Dayton and Cincinnati saw drops into the 70s, nearly a 10 degree drop from normal daytime highs.

Near the end of August, a heat wave swept through that brought record-breaking temperatures to all three cities, the warmest temperatures felt since 2012. Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus all reached 98 degrees on Aug. 30, with several sites hitting triple digits.

NWS Wilmington said while the start of the month brought some measurable precipitation, a lack of rain throughout the month continued to contribute to drought conditions.

“Although there were days where some locations received heavy rainfall due to thunderstorms and others received little to none, the precipitation as a whole was far below typical norms for the month of August,” NWS Wilmington said in its climate survey.

NWS Wilmington said large portions of the lower Scioto Valley and southern central Ohio areas face “extreme” drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Areas in Athens and Meigs County were also marked as facing “exceptional” drought.

To view more of NWS Wilmington’s climate survey, click here.

NWS Cleveland covers 28 counties in northern Ohio, two counties in northwestern Pennsylvania and most of Lake Erie.

Slightly above average temperatures were also reported for northern Ohio and while precitation came, in some areas it still remained below normal for August.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, portions of Cuyahoga and Lucas Counties also face dryness. Cuyahoga is marked as abnormally dry while Lucas faces moderate drought conditions.

NWS Wilmington said chances are high that above average temperatures will remain on trend heading into September through November for the Buckeye State.  

For more information on NWS, click here.