Weather in Lexington, Kentucky
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Light Drizzle35%80°58°
- SundayMay 17Overcast26%88°61°
- MondayMay 18Light Drizzle—84°68°
- TuesdayMay 19Showers44%79°66°
- WednesdayMay 20Showers69%69°58°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast51%69°51°
- FridayMay 22Drizzle44%71°58°
- PM 2.5
- 8.3 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 8.9 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 3.5 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 98.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:34 AM
- Moonset
- 1:09 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Lexington at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 3°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 4 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Lexington's warmest temperatures (~77°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~34°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in May (5.4 inches) and drops to its lowest point in November (3.4 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34° | 3.4″ | 7 |
| February | 38° | 3.6″ | 7 |
| March | 46° | 4.5″ | 8 |
| April | 56° | 4.4″ | 8 |
| May | 65° | 5.4″ | 9 |
| June | 73° | 5.0″ | 8 |
| July | 77° | 5.1″ | 8 |
| August | 76° | 3.7″ | 7 |
| September | 69° | 3.4″ | 5 |
| October | 58° | 3.7″ | 6 |
| November | 46° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| December | 38° | 4.2″ | 8 |
Regional context
Lexington belongs to a humid subtropical climate region that extends across nearby cities. This climate zone creates similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions throughout the area.
Similar climates: Louisville, KY, Bowling Green, KY, Elizabethtown, KY, Owensboro, KY, Covington, KY.
Naturalist notes
Late April brings the distinctive calls of wood thrushes returning to Lexington's woodlands as trees leaf out.
Redbud trees bloom in early April, their purple-pink flowers appearing before the leaves unfold.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Lexington?
- Lexington's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Lexington?
- May receives the most rainfall with about 5.4 inches on average; the city gets roughly 50 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Lexington?
- July records the warmest temperatures, averaging about 77°F.
- What is the coldest month in Lexington?
- January brings the coldest weather, averaging about 34°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Lexington?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Lexington get?
- Lexington experiences about 84 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Lexington?
- Lexington's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Lexington, Kentucky experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. January temperatures hover near 34°F while July averages 77°F — a 43°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Lexington receives about 50 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 84 rainy days.
Seasonal patterns emerge from the city's latitude (38.0°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows here, when frost arrives, and the daily weather patterns.