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° | 66° | 3,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 83° | 63° | 2,8 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 | 45 in |
| Indianapolis | 128 mi | 55°F | 34°F cooler | 45 in |
| Hocking Hills State Park | 151 mi | 55°F | 34°F cooler | 44 in |
| Ohio | 158 mi | 55°F | 35°F cooler | 47 in |
| Nashville International Airport | 174 mi | 62°F | +37°F warmer | 58 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 June, July, August, September and October. 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 slightly warmer than average for October. The forecast high of 73°F is 4°F above the 69°F typical for this month.
Rain is very unlikely today - plans do not need a backup.
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
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- Layers - the daily swing is 70°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- A warm mid-layer and gloves for early mornings and evenings
- 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 55°F (13°C) in Kentucky with mainly clear. It feels like 52°F. Today runs from 40°F to 73°F. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sightseeing conditions score 9.5/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit Kentucky is June, July, August, September and October. 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 slightly warmer than average for October. The forecast high of 73°F is 4°F above the 69°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 12 PM to 3 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. hiking is the strongest bet in Kentucky today at 9.8/10. 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 | 12:24 PM (UTC-04:00) |
| Best months | June, July, August, September and October |
| 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 55°F (13°C) with mainly clear. Humidity is 62% and wind is 3 mph.
When is the best time to visit Kentucky?
June, July, August, September and October 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 12:24 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 October 25, 2026 at 12:24 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
