Weather in Independence, Ohio
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 17Overcast16%84°61°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—89°63°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle75%84°69°
- WednesdayMay 20Heavy Drizzle81%68°48°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—68°45°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle19%72°53°
- SaturdayMay 23Foggy34%63°50°
- PM 2.5
- 4.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 4.6 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 10.6 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 60.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:09 AM
- Moonset
- 1:09 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open along the stoops
Independence at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 6°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 24 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Independence's warmest month is July (~74°F mean) and its coldest is January (~29°F). Rainfall peaks in July (3.7 inches) and bottoms out in February (1.5 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29° | 1.8″ | 4 |
| February | 31° | 1.5″ | 4 |
| March | 38° | 2.4″ | 6 |
| April | 49° | 3.1″ | 7 |
| May | 61° | 3.5″ | 8 |
| June | 70° | 2.8″ | 7 |
| July | 74° | 3.7″ | 6 |
| August | 73° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| September | 67° | 2.9″ | 6 |
| October | 56° | 3.2″ | 8 |
| November | 45° | 2.9″ | 6 |
| December | 35° | 2.0″ | 6 |
Regional context
Independence sits within a warm-summer humid continental climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Cleveland, OH, Akron, OH, Toledo, OH, Youngstown, OH, Canton, OH.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Independence?
- Independence's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Independence?
- July is the wettest month with about 3.7 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 33 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Independence?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in Independence?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 29°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Independence?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Independence get?
- Independence averages about 74 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Independence?
- Independence's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Independence, Ohio sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January means hover near 29°F while July averages 74°F — a 45°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Independence receives about 33 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 74 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (41.4°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — all of which shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.