Louisville has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 88°, a January night drops to 25°, and about 15 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Louisville at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Louisville’s climate
Read from where Louisville sits among Kentucky’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Louisville averaged 1.3° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+2.4°).
A bigger shift than in 52% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
15 inches of snow, 50 of rain and melt
May is the wettest month and January 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
Living with Louisville’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
209 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 6 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Nov 1.
About 15" a winter over 5 days with an inch or more, most in February. Snow covers the ground about 11 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from November through March. Heating is 75% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 30 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 88°.
The nicest months are April, May, September and October. 182 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →What a year in Louisville feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 209 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 6 and the first by November 1.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Louisville and its neighbors
Posey has the coldest January nights next door (24°) and New Albany the hottest July afternoons (88°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
How Louisville compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Kentucky.
Louisville 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° | 25° | 3.4" | 4.6" | 12 | 4 | 26° – 43° |
| February | 47° | 28° | 3.5" | 4.7" | 12 | 4 | 26° – 47° |
| March | 57° | 36° | 4.6" | 2.6" | 13 | 1 | 39° – 59° |
| April | 69° | 45° | 5.0" | 0.1" | 13 | 0 | 51° – 63° |
| May | 77° | 56° | 5.3" | 0 | 14 | 0 | 60° – 74° |
| June | 85° | 64° | 4.8" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 70° – 79° |
| July | 88° | 68° | 4.5" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 72° – 82° |
| August | 87° | 66° | 3.8" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 72° – 82° |
| September | 81° | 58° | 3.6" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 65° – 77° |
| October | 70° | 47° | 3.8" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 54° – 64° |
| November | 57° | 36° | 3.6" | 0.4" | 10 | 0 | 40° – 52° |
| December | 46° | 30° | 4.2" | 2.7" | 13 | 3 | 26° – 48° |
| Year | 67° | 47° | 50.0" | 15.1" | 134 | 11 |
Heating and cooling a home in Louisville
75% 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 26° to 48°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Louisville’s climate
What is the coldest month in Louisville?
January, with a typical high of 42° and a low of 25°.
What is the hottest month in Louisville?
July, with a typical high of 88° and a low of 68°. About 30 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Louisville get?
About 15 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Louisville?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by November 1, and the last spring frost by April 6.
What is the rainiest month in Louisville?
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 Louisville.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Louisville itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Louisville Wfo, KY (5 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.