Lexington has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 86°, a January night drops to 24°, and about 15 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Lexington at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Lexington’s climate
Read from where Lexington sits among Kentucky’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
What a year in Lexington feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
15 inches of snow, 50 of rain and melt
May is the wettest month and November the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 134 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 196 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 13 and the first by October 28.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Lexington’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
196 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 13 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 28.
About 15" a winter over 4 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 12 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from November through March. Heating is 77% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 25 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 86°.
The nicest months are April, May, June, September and October. 83 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Lexington averaged 1.2° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+2.2°).
A smaller shift than in 52% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Lexington compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Kentucky.
Lexington weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 24° | 3.6" | 4.7" | 13 | 4 | 25° – 42° |
| February | 46° | 27° | 3.7" | 4.5" | 12 | 4 | 24° – 46° |
| March | 55° | 34° | 4.5" | 2.8" | 13 | 2 | 39° – 56° |
| April | 67° | 43° | 4.6" | 0.2" | 13 | 0 | 49° – 61° |
| May | 75° | 53° | 5.3" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 57° – 71° |
| June | 83° | 61° | 4.8" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 67° – 76° |
| July | 86° | 65° | 5.0" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 71° – 80° |
| August | 85° | 63° | 3.7" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 69° – 80° |
| September | 80° | 56° | 3.7" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 63° – 74° |
| October | 68° | 45° | 3.6" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 52° – 62° |
| November | 56° | 35° | 3.3" | 0.4" | 10 | 0 | 39° – 51° |
| December | 45° | 29° | 4.2" | 1.9" | 13 | 2 | 25° – 48° |
| Year | 66° | 45° | 50.0" | 14.5" | 134 | 12 |
Heating and cooling a home in Lexington
77% of the work is heating.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. December swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 25° to 48°. June is the most reliable, staying within 8°.
Common questions about Lexington’s climate
What is the coldest month in Lexington?
January, with a typical high of 42° and a low of 24°.
What is the hottest month in Lexington?
July, with a typical high of 86° and a low of 65°. About 25 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Lexington get?
About 15 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Lexington?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 28, and the last spring frost by April 13.
What is the rainiest month in Lexington?
May, with 5.3 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 50 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Lexington.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Lexington itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Lexington Bluegrass Airport, KY (8 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.