Kentucky Climate

Kentucky experiences a temperate climate and four distinct seasons. Spring is warm and fairly wet, while summers are hot and humid. Average temperatures in the summer range from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall brings cooler temperatures with lows in the 40s or 50s and highs around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter is cold, with average temperatures between 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual snowfall varies widely, ranging from a few inches to over 25 inches depending on the location within Kentucky.

Kentucky, Kentucky gets 48 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.

Kentucky averages 11 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.

On average, there are 189 sunny days per year in Kentucky. The US average is 205 sunny days.

Kentucky gets some kind of precipitation, on average, 120 days per year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. In order for precipitation to be counted you have to get at least .01 inches on the ground to measure.

Weather Highlights

Summer High: the July high is around 87 degrees
Winter Low: the January low is 24
Rain: averages 48 inches of rain a year
Snow: averages 11 inches of snow a year

Bestplaces Comfort Index

Kentucky's annual BestPlaces Comfort Index of 7.3 (10=best) indicates it is more comfortable than most states in the United States.

7.9 Summer - 5.7 Winter

September, May and June are the most pleasant months in the state of Kentucky, while January and December are the least comfortable months.

Climate	Kentucky, Kentucky	United States
	47.6 in.	38.1 in.
	10.9 in.	27.8 in.
	120.0 days	106.2 days
	189 days	205 days
	86.7°	85.8°
	23.9°	21.7°
	7.3	7
	4.2	4.3
	809 ft.	2443 ft.

Climate

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Many people confuse weather and climate but they are different. Weather is the conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere is over long periods of time.

Weather is how the atmosphere is behaving and its effects upon life and human activities. Weather can change from minute-to-minute. Most people think of weather in terms of temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, brightness, visibility, wind, and atmospheric pressure.

Climate is the description of the long-term pattern of weather in a place. Climate can mean the average weather for a particular region and time period taken over 30 years. Climate is the average of weather over time.

July is the hottest month for Kentucky with an average high temperature of 86.7°, which ranks it as about average compared to other states. In Kentucky, there are 3 comfortable months with high temperatures in the range of 70-85°. The most pleasant months of the year for Kentucky are May, September and June.

Kentucky has 24.3 days annually when the high temperature is over 90°, which is about average compared to other states in the U.S.

January has the coldest nighttime temperatures for Kentucky with an average of 23.9°. This is about average compared to other of the U.S. states.

Kentucky has 99.6 days annually when the nighttime low temperature falls below freezing, which is about average compared to other states in the U.S.

Kentucky averages 1.2 days annually when the nighttime low temperature falls below freezing, which is about average compared to other states in the U.S.

The humidity can be uncomfortably heavy or close in the state of Kentucky during the summer months. July is the most humid month, though humidity is low for most of the year. July, August and June are the three most humid months in the state of Kentucky.

May is the wettest month in Kentucky with 5.2 inches of rain, and the driest month is September with 3.3 inches. The wettest season is Summer with 28% of yearly precipitation and 22% occurs in Winter, which is the driest season. Kentucky's average annual rainfall of 47.6 inches indicates that it is wetter than most states in the United States.

May is the rainiest month in Kentucky with 11.9 days of rain, and September is the driest month with only 7.5 rainy days. Kentucky's annual average of 120.0 days with measurable rain is rainier than most states in the United States. The rainiest season is Summer when it rains 29% of the time and the driest is Winter with only a 21% chance of a rainy day.

Kentucky's average annual snowfall of 10.9 inches indicates that it is one of the least snowy states in the United States. January is the snowiest month in Kentucky with 3.6 inches of snow, and 4 months of the year have significant snowfall.

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Faith · Glasgow, KY

Thoughts on KY from a KY born and raised resident.

Over 4 years ago

So, I've lived in KY my whole life, born in Bowling Green, and raised just outside of Glasgow. I graduated from Barren County High School in 2017, and currently attend More

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Daniel · Holland, MI

Awesome ??????

Over 5 years ago

Never lived there but I hear Kentucky is a great State to grow smoke(maryjiwanna More

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Anne · Hickman, KY

Thinking of Kentucky? Think again!

Over 8 years ago

Spot on Stephanie! I bought a beautiful historic home overlooking the Mississippi River thought it would be wonderful. Although the people seemed very friendly at More