Climate in Louisville (Kentucky)

The climate of Louisville is continental, with cold winters and hot summers, with quite frequent thunderstorms.
Louisville is the main city of Kentucky and is located in the north of the state, at the 38th parallel, on the banks of the Ohio River, beyond which lies the city of Clarksville, Indiana.
We are in the northern part of the so-called Upper-South, the center-south of the United States, where the cold air masses of the north and the warm ones of the south collide.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 2.1 °C (35.7 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 26.6 °C (79.9 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 1,230 millimeters (48.3 inches) per year.



The winter, from late November to early March, is cold, but the average temperature remains above freezing even in January. In addition, there are mild periods, in which the temperature reaches or exceeds 15 °C (59 °F), alternating with colder periods.
There are also intense cold spells, in which the temperature drops to -15 °C (5 °F) or below.
The cold record, -30 °C (-22 °F), was recorded in January 1994.
During the most intense cold spells, even the river can freeze.
On average, 34 cm (13.5 in) of snow fall per year (not much further north, 56 cm or 22 inches of snow fall in Cincinnati, and 66 cm or 26 inches fall in Indianapolis).

The summer, from June to August, is hot and quite sunny, although thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon.
There are hot and muggy periods, sometimes of long duration, which can also occur in early September.
Generally, the temperature reaches 36/37 °C (97/99 °F) on the hottest days of the year, although the record in recent times is 41 °C (106 °F), recorded at the end of July 1999. In July 2012, the average maximum temperature was of 36 °C (97 °F).

Spring and autumn, from mid-March to May and from September to mid-November, are contrasted seasons, with fairly frequent rains and sudden changes in temperature. Spring is rainier and more unstable than autumn. However, there are also stable and pleasant periods.
We are in the area where tornadoes can form, which are more likely in spring, but sometimes can also occur in autumn.

Best Time

To visit Louisville you can choose spring and autumn, and in particular the periods from mid-April to mid-May and from mid-September to mid-October. Autumn is probably the best season, being drier and with less temperature changes. But in spring the days are longer.

Louisville - Climate data

In Louisville, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 2.1 °C (35.7 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 26.6 °C (79.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1230 millimeters (48.4 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 85 mm (3.3 in) in the driest months (January, February, November) to 130 mm (5.1 in) in the wettest one (May). Here is the average precipitation.
There are on average around 2515 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Louisville - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.1 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of -2.3 °C (27.8 °F) and a maximum of 6.4 °C (43.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -14 °C (6.5 °F). However, it dropped to -30 °C (-22 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in January 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.2 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of -0.7 °C (30.7 °F) and a maximum of 9.1 °C (48.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11 °C (12 °F). However, it dropped to -21.1 °C (-6 °F) in February 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 27.8 °C (82 °F) in February 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.1 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.6 °F) and a maximum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.3 °C (8.1 °F) in March 2015.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in March 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.5 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.1 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.4 °C (77.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.1 °C (34 °F) in May 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in May 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.7 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 19.6 °C (67.2 °F) and a maximum of 29.8 °C (85.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) in June 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 26.6 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 21.6 °C (70.8 °F) and a maximum of 31.7 °C (89 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) in July 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in July 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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August is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 26.1 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.5 °F) and a maximum of 31.3 °C (88.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.6 °C (52.9 °F) in August 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in August 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 2.7 °C (36.9 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in September 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.7 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 10.1 °C (50.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.4 °C (70.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.2 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F) and a maximum of 14.2 °C (57.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.9 °C (16 °F) in November 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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December is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.2 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 0.1 °C (32.1 °F) and a maximum of 8.4 °C (47.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (14 °F). However, it dropped to -17 °C (1.4 °F) in December 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 24.4 °C (75.9 °F) in December 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).