Kentucky Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Kentucky: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Kentucky month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37° | 22° | 4,1 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| February | 49° | 29° | 3,7 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| March | 62° | 41° | 4,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 70° | 50° | 6,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 74° | 56° | 5,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 83° | 65° | 4,3 in | ★★★★☆ |
| July | 87° | 69° | 4,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| August | 85° | 65° | 1,7 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 82° | 60° | 3,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 69° | 50° | 2,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 57° | 40° | 2,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 47° | 33° | 3,6 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
Climate type: Continental. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Kentucky
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Kentucky compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Kentucky.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 128 mi | 55°F | 34°F cooler | 43 in |
| Indianapolis | 128 mi | 55°F | 34°F cooler | 43 in |
| Hocking Hills State Park | 151 mi | 55°F | 34°F cooler | 42 in |
| Ohio | 158 mi | 54°F | 35°F cooler | 44 in |
| Nashville International Airport | 174 mi | 62°F | +37°F warmer | 60 in |
Climate by national park in Kentucky
1 national parks mapped in this atlas
Climate by state park in Kentucky
1 state and provincial parks mapped in this atlas
Climate by city in Kentucky
1 cities mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit Kentucky
Go in August and September. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, February and December - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for Kentucky
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 85°F is in line with the 85°F typical for this month.
A 37% chance means rain is likely somewhere nearby at some point - carry a layer, but do not cancel.
No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Northern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in June to August.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 80°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, February and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Kentucky is a state in United States. Kentucky is a US state with its capital at Frankfort. It has a population of about 4.5 million. The capital is Frankfort.
Right now it is 66°F (19°C) in Kentucky with clear. It feels like 71°F. Today runs from 65°F to 85°F. Chance of precipitation is 37%. Sightseeing conditions score 9/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit Kentucky is August and September. The climate is continental. January, February and December tend to be the least comfortable months. July is the warmest month with average highs near 87°F, while January is the coldest with lows near 22°F.
The closest major airport is Nashville International Airport (BNA), about 174 mi away. Nearby highlights include Mammoth Cave National Park, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Hocking Hills State Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 85°F is in line with the 85°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 7 AM to 10 AM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. sightseeing is the strongest bet in Kentucky today at 9/10. No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about Kentucky
| Type | State |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Continent | North America |
| Coordinates | 38°12′3.2″N 84°52′23.9″W (38.2009, -84.8733) |
| Capital | Frankfort |
| Population | 4.510.000 |
| Area | 40.408 sq mi |
| Abbreviation | KY |
| Time zone | America/New_York |
| Local time | 3:25 PM (UTC-04:00) |
| Best months | August and September |
| Climate | Continental |
Weather map for Kentucky
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore Kentucky
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kentucky?
Kentucky is a state in United States. Its coordinates are 38.2009, -84.8733. It lies in North America.
What is the weather like in Kentucky right now?
It is currently 66°F (19°C) with clear. Humidity is 91% and wind is 2 mph.
When is the best time to visit Kentucky?
August and September offer the most comfortable conditions in Kentucky, which has a continental climate. January, February and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Kentucky in?
Kentucky observes America/New_York (UTC-04:00). The local time is 3:25 PM.
How many people live in Kentucky?
Kentucky has a population of approximately 4.5 million.
What is the nearest airport to Kentucky?
The closest airports are Nashville International Airport (BNA), 174 mi away and O'Hare International Airport (ORD), 306 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Kentucky?
Popular options include Mammoth Cave National Park, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Hocking Hills State Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, New River Gorge National Park and Grayson Highlands State Park.
What places are in Kentucky?
Kentucky covers 3 places in this atlas, including Mammoth Cave National Park, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and Louisville.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (us-states) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Official alerts | US National Weather Service. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 22, 2026 at 3:25 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
