Kentucky weather and outdoor projects
Kentucky has hot, humid summers, cool winters and rain spread through the year, with spring the wettest season. Louisville and Lexington get plenty of freeze-thaw cycles in winter, but long hard freezes are less common than farther north.
Fall is often the best season for staining and painting, because humidity drops and storms are less frequent. Spring has good days too, between rain events. Humid summer nights can bring heavy dew, which marks fresh paint and stain finished late in the day, so plan to stop by mid-afternoon in summer.
Frost dates in Kentucky
In Louisville, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 31 and the median first fall freeze is around November 7, a frost-free season of about 222 days.
In Lexington, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around April 13 and the median first fall freeze is around October 28, a frost-free season of about 196 days.
How Kentucky compares with other states
Louisville is tied for the 7th-longest deck staining season of the 50 state main stations (5 good months). Louisville is tied for the 10th-most rainy days of the 50 state main stations (80 a year with 0.1 in or more). Louisville is tied for the 17th-longest frost-free season of the 50 state main stations (222 days).
| Measure (Louisville) | Value | Rank, highest first |
|---|---|---|
| Deck staining season | 5 good months | 7th of 50 |
| Frost-free season | 222 days | 17th of 50 |
| Freezing nights | 74 a year | 31st of 50 |
| Rainy days | 80 a year with 0.1 in or more | 10th of 50 |
| Days at 90°F or hotter | 43 a year | 21st of 50 |
| Summer afternoons | 50% humidity at 3 PM, June–August | 20th of 47 |
Best time to stain a deck in Kentucky
In Louisville, the most reliable months are April–June and September–October. March, July–August and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 46°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 58°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. July–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Lexington, the most reliable months are June–September. April–May and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 67°F, May 76°F, Oct 69°F). December–February is too cold, with average highs around 45°F. In March and November, nights average about 36°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April and October, nights average about 46°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. May averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
Best time to paint outside in Kentucky
In Louisville, the most reliable months are April–June and September–October. March, July–August and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 46°F. In March, nights average about 39°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. July–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun. November is cool, with highs around 58°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Lexington, the most reliable months are April and June–October. March, May and November can also work on the right days (average highs Mar 56°F, May 76°F, Nov 56°F). December–February is too cold, with average highs around 45°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 56°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. May averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
Best time to pour concrete in Kentucky
In Louisville, the most reliable months are April–October. November–March averages about 14 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures.
In Lexington, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 67°F, Oct 69°F). November–March averages about 17 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. April and October bring about 2 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
Best time to seal a driveway in Kentucky
In Louisville, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 70°F, Oct 71°F). November–March is too cold, with average highs around 51°F. In April and October, nights average about 49°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
In Lexington, the most reliable months are June–September. April–May and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 67°F, May 76°F, Oct 69°F). November–March is too cold, with average highs around 49°F. April is cool, with highs around 67°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. May averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch. In October, nights average about 47°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
Best time to fertilize or treat a lawn in Kentucky
In Louisville, the most reliable months are April–June and September–October. March, July–August and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 46°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 58°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. July–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Lexington, the most reliable months are April–June and September–October. March, July–August and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 45°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 56°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. July–August is hot, with highs near 87°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
How the weather differs across Kentucky
| Place | Hottest month avg high | Coldest month avg low | Rain per year | Last spring freeze | First fall freeze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | 89°F | 28°F | 48 in | March 31 | November 7 |
| Lexington | 87°F | 25°F | 50 in | April 13 | October 28 |
Of the places above, Louisville has the most good months for staining, painting and concrete combined (17 job-months), and Lexington has the fewest (15).
Monthly weather in Louisville
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F | 28°F | 6 | 3.4 in | 58% | 21 |
| February | 48°F | 31°F | 6 | 3.4 in | 52% | 17 |
| March | 58°F | 39°F | 8 | 4.6 in | 46% | 10 |
| April | 70°F | 49°F | 8 | 4.8 in | 44% | 1 |
| May | 78°F | 59°F | 8 | 5.2 in | 50% | 0 |
| June | 86°F | 67°F | 8 | 4.3 in | 51% | 0 |
| July | 89°F | 71°F | 7 | 4.0 in | 51% | 0 |
| August | 88°F | 70°F | 5 | 3.7 in | 49% | 0 |
| September | 82°F | 62°F | 5 | 3.7 in | 47% | 0 |
| October | 71°F | 50°F | 5 | 3.7 in | 47% | 1 |
| November | 58°F | 39°F | 6 | 3.4 in | 51% | 8 |
| December | 47°F | 32°F | 7 | 4.1 in | 59% | 17 |
*Days with 0.1 inch of rain or more; column notes.
Monthly weather in Lexington
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F | 25°F | 7 | 3.4 in | 61% | 23 |
| February | 47°F | 28°F | 7 | 3.6 in | 56% | 19 |
| March | 56°F | 36°F | 8 | 4.5 in | 50% | 13 |
| April | 67°F | 45°F | 8 | 4.4 in | 49% | 3 |
| May | 76°F | 55°F | 9 | 5.4 in | 54% | 0 |
| June | 84°F | 63°F | 8 | 5.0 in | 55% | 0 |
| July | 87°F | 67°F | 8 | 5.1 in | 55% | 0 |
| August | 86°F | 65°F | 7 | 3.7 in | 53% | 0 |
| September | 80°F | 58°F | 5 | 3.4 in | 50% | 0 |
| October | 69°F | 47°F | 6 | 3.7 in | 50% | 2 |
| November | 56°F | 36°F | 6 | 3.4 in | 54% | 11 |
| December | 46°F | 30°F | 8 | 4.2 in | 63% | 19 |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 for LOUISVILLE INTL AP, LEXINGTON BLUEGRASS AP. See how the ratings work and how late in fall you can stain, paint or seal.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to stain a deck in Kentucky?
In Louisville, April–June and September–October. In Lexington, June–September.
When is the last frost in Kentucky?
Louisville: around March 31; Lexington: around April 13.
Can you pour concrete in winter in Kentucky?
Yes, with cold-weather practices: Louisville averages about 55 freezing nights from December to February, so fresh concrete needs insulated blankets, a heated enclosure or an accelerated mix, and must not freeze in the first 48 hours. Many homeowners wait for spring.
What months are best for sealing a driveway in Kentucky?
In Louisville, May–September. In Lexington, June–September.