All Countries
Weather & Climate in Bowling Green, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bowling Green enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 299 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 50.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 8.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 561 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 59.1°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 561 ft (171 m) |
| Area | 38.1 sq mi (98.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,754/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.9757°N, 86.4360°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Warren County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bowling Green-Warren County Regional (BWG) 1 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 30.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 68.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
20 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jan 24, 1990 | 6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana | M3.9 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 134 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 2023 | 6 km W of Calhoun, Kentucky | M3.0 | 101 km | 0 km |
| Nov 28, 1998 | 6 km SW of Bremen, Kentucky | M2.9 | 83 km | 0 km |
| Jan 28, 1991 | 9 km SW of Sacramento, Kentucky | M2.8 | 89 km | 1 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 147 km | 4 km |
| Aug 15, 2001 | 5 km SSE of Spottsville, Kentucky | M2.7 | 126 km | 19 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana | M2.7 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Feb 27, 2020 | 5 km SW of Bremen, Kentucky | M2.6 | 83 km | 27 km |
| Sep 12, 2015 | 5 km SE of Corydon, Kentucky | M2.6 | 135 km | 17 km |
| Jan 8, 1995 | Kentucky | M2.6 | 75 km | 30 km |
| Jul 8, 2001 | 7 km SE of Franklin, Tennessee | M2.6 | 126 km | 0 km |
| Mar 22, 1990 | 9 km E of Rochester, Kentucky | M2.6 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 2000 | 6 km N of Boonville, Indiana | M2.6 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Dec 8, 1997 | 6 km NE of Murfreesboro, Tennessee | M2.6 | 122 km | 0 km |
| Jun 3, 2023 | 7 km N of Nebo, Kentucky | M2.5 | 120 km | 16 km |
| May 30, 2023 | 7 km W of Calhoun, Kentucky | M2.5 | 102 km | 1 km |
| May 2, 1998 | 6 km WNW of Nebo, Kentucky | M2.5 | 80 km | 9 km |
| Mar 8, 1990 | 4 km SW of Oak Grove, Kentucky | M2.5 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 2012 | 13 km W of Owensboro, Kentucky | M2.5 | 115 km | 15 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
472 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 116 fatalities, 1,263 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 84 km | 32.0 mi | 31 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 51 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 90 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 95 km | 37.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 90 km | 14.1 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 1970 | EF4 | 85 km | 42.6 mi | 3 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 18 km | 29.3 mi | 16 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 55 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 96 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF3 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF3 | 47 km | 9.4 mi | 4 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 67 km | 50.3 mi | 22 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 73 km | 18.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 2006 | EF3 | 79 km | 22.7 mi | 7 |
| May 11, 2003 | EF3 | 89 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2000 | EF3 | 63 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 22, 1999 | EF3 | 95 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 31 km | 48.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 91 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 77 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
15 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FLOATING MILL HOLLOW (2,422 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | FLOATING MILL HOLLOW | 2,422 | 40 km |
| 2008 | BROOKS KNOB | 2,225 | 32 km |
| 2012 | FY2012 CRYSTAL CAVE BROADCAST BURN | 2,221 | 43 km |
| 2010 | JOPPA CHURCH | 2,037 | 35 km |
| 2004 | JIM LEE | 1,770 | 36 km |
| 2009 | TEMPLE HILL | 1,628 | 33 km |
| 2009 | JIM LEE | 1,613 | 36 km |
| 2007 | DEAD DEER | 1,557 | 57 km |
| 2007 | Big Woods | 1,500 | 45 km |
| 2008 | GOBLIN KNOB | 1,445 | 42 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,039 | 54 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 848 | 84 km |
| 2007 | DENNISON FERRY RX | 655 | 44 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 641 | 39 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 576 | 42 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (4°C) | 4.1 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 5.0 in |
Bowling Green has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 37°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.2") and October the driest (3.1").