An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a host device configured to communicate over a network with a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices. The host device includes a set of input-output queues and a multi-path input-output driver configured to select input-output operations from the set of input-output queues for delivery to the storage system. The multi-path input-output driver is configured to analyze an input-output load pattern of the host device for a predetermined period of time and to categorize the input-output load pattern into one of a plurality of predetermined load pattern categories based at least in part on the analysis. The multi-path input-output driver is configured to transmit information specifying the categorization of the input-output load pattern to the storage system. The storage system is configured to adjust its processing of input-output operations based at least in part on the categorization of the input-output load pattern.