Written by: Dr. Jay Hobgood, Ohio State University

SUMMARY

The average temperature is expected to be below normal for May, with below normal precipitation. 

DETAILS

An upper level trough will linger over the northeast U.S. during the first half of May. The trough will produce cool, cloudy weather in Ohio during the early part of the month. Northerly winds will transport cooler air from Canada over Ohio during the first half of May. The upper level trough will move away later in the month and warmer air will return to the state. A sequence of Canadian air masses will make the average temperature below normal for Ohio during May.  

Although the upper level trough will produce a cloudy start to May, the air from Canada will be relatively dry, so, precipitation will be light during the first half of the month. A few sunny days will break up the cloudy stretches whenever the driest air is over Ohio. A couple of storms could produce heavier rain later in the month, but the total precipitation for May will be below normal.