What should you know about Hamilton's weather?
- NWS office
- Wilmington (ILN)
- Climate
- Hot-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- EST/EDT
- Elevation
- 596 ft
- Coordinates
- 39.40° N, 84.56° W
- Nearest radar
- KILN · Cincinnati NEXRAD · 40 mi
- County
- Butler County, OH
- Yearly rain
- 41.4 in
- Warmest month
- July · 75.5°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 30.7°F average
- Severe storm peak
- May to Jul
How much rain does Hamilton get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 39.9 | 43.7 | 53.9 | 66.6 | 75.4 | 83.2 | 86.8 | 85.9 | 79.6 | 67.7 | 54.7 | 43.6 |
| Low °F | 21.5 | 23.4 | 31.8 | 41.6 | 51.8 | 60.5 | 64.3 | 62.4 | 53.8 | 41.9 | 31.7 | 25.7 |
| Rain (in) | 2.91 | 2.41 | 3.49 | 4.63 | 4.59 | 4.06 | 3.67 | 2.95 | 3.04 | 3.17 | 3.16 | 3.34 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39.9 | 21.5 | 2.91 |
| Feb | 43.7 | 23.4 | 2.41 |
| Mar | 53.9 | 31.8 | 3.49 |
| Apr | 66.6 | 41.6 | 4.63 |
| May | 75.4 | 51.8 | 4.59 |
| Jun | 83.2 | 60.5 | 4.06 |
| Jul | 86.8 | 64.3 | 3.67 |
| Aug | 85.9 | 62.4 | 2.95 |
| Sep | 79.6 | 53.8 | 3.04 |
| Oct | 67.7 | 41.9 | 3.17 |
| Nov | 54.7 | 31.7 | 3.16 |
| Dec | 43.6 | 25.7 | 3.34 |
HAMILTON BUTLER CO RGNL AP, OH US · 3 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What does a microburst look like on the Hamilton weather radar?
It can hide inside a broken or bowing line of storms rather than showing up as a separate cell. On June 15, 2016, storms merged into a broken, bowing line across southwest Ohio and produced widespread winds of 50 to 60 mph. Within that line, a microburst caused significant tree damage just south of Hamilton, with estimated winds of 80 to 90 mph. Radar images posted by NWS Wilmington from the Cincinnati terminal Doppler radar (TCVG) show the wind surge south of Hamilton around 6:52 PM. When a line heading for town starts to bulge forward on the loop, get indoors.
How bad was the 1913 flood in Hamilton?
It was a disaster for the city: reports to the USGS said two-thirds of the town was covered by water and about 300 houses were swept away. The Great Miami River crest reached Hamilton about 3 a.m. on March 26, 1913, at a stage of 34.6 feet. That was 13.5 feet higher than the previous record of 21.2 feet, set on March 24, 1898. Strong currents running through the streets were one of the most destructive features of the flood in Hamilton.
How high can the Great Miami River rise before Hamilton floods?
Most of the city sits behind levees and flood walls, so the river has to climb well past flood stage before downtown is at risk. Minor flooding begins at 75 feet on the river gauge for the Great Miami River at Hamilton. At 74 feet lowland flooding begins about one mile north of High Street and near Ross, and at 75 feet evacuations are possible near New Miami and Ross. Southern parts of the city are protected up to 89 feet and most of the city up to 90 feet. Radar shows the rain falling over the basin upstream, but the river forecast for this gauge tells you how high the water will go.
Why can Hamilton miss a snowstorm that buries Cincinnati?
Because the northern edge of a winter storm can be very sharp. On March 14, 1999, snow left 4 to 8 inches across southeast Indiana, southern Ohio and northern Kentucky, including Cincinnati, with 17 inches in West Union. High pressure over the Great Lakes kept a dry northeasterly flow across Ohio, so Hamilton saw only a few flurries or a light dusting. The band of snow was about 60 miles wide. When the edge of a snow band sits over Butler County, watch the loop to see whether it is creeping north or holding still.
When should you check the Hamilton radar?
Severe storm season
May to JulyAbout 61% of Butler County's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall in these months. Visitors to Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park check the loop for storm lines coming in from Indiana before a summer afternoon outdoors.
Hurricane season
June 1 to November 30On September 27, 2024, the remnants of Hurricane Helene brought a 52 mph gust to Butler County Regional Airport. Wind like that barely shows on the rain map, so locals check the hourly gusts next to the loop when a tropical remnant is coming.
What else do people ask about the Hamilton radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Hamilton?
NWS Wilmington (ILN) issues forecasts and warnings for Hamilton. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KILN, about 40 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Wilmington and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KILN (Cincinnati NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Wilmington (ILN)
- Severe storms peak from May to July (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: EST/EDT
- Radar: KILN, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Wilmington (ILN)
- Severe storms: May to July
- Local time: EST/EDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Wilmington office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: HAMILTON BUTLER CO RGNL AP, OH US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Wilmington: Microburst near Hamilton, June 15, 2016
- USGS Water-Supply Paper 334: The Ohio Valley flood of March and April 1913
- NOAA National Water Prediction Service: Great Miami River at Hamilton
- NWS Wilmington: March 14, 1999 winter storm
- NWS Wilmington: Remnants of Hurricane Helene, September 27, 2024
- National Hurricane Center: Tropical cyclone climatology