Explained: Microclimates in the Miami Valley

As a whole, weather across the Miami Valley is generally consistent. However, there are a couple isolated spots with subtle, yet notable weather outliers.

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These specific locations are known as microclimates. Typically a microclimate can be identified by a departure in temperature, humidity, or precipitation compared to the surrounding area.

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Factors responsible for creating a microclimate include elevation, terrain, bodies of water, or even cities in general.

One example of a microclimate is Dayton itself. The urban heat island effect in the city results in, at times, substantially higher temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas. This is generally most obvious on summer mornings.

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Another example of a microclimate is Bellefontaine, or more specifically the Bellefontaine Ridge. Higher elevation in Bellefontaine results in slightly cooler and drier weather conditions on any given day.

More obvious examples include cities close to major bodies of water such as Cleveland and its relationship with Lake Erie. These types of areas are prone to significant lake effect snow as well as major temperature differences to cities farther from the lake.

Cox Media Group