Weather & Climate in Lancaster, KY

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Lancaster experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 305 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 47.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 978 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	55.4°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	33°F (1°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	978 ft (298 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²)
Population Density	1,571/sq mi
Coordinates	37.6170°N, 84.5818°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Garrard County County
Nearest Airport	Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 39 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.9"

26% above US avg

Wettest Month (May) 4.84"

Driest Month (Oct) 2.87"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	30.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	86.0 / 100
Community Resilience	48.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

34 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

Nov 10, 2012	6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky	M4.2	145 km	17 km
Aug 17, 1990	9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky	M4.0	130 km	1 km
Jan 20, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M3.8	141 km	35 km
Sep 17, 2004	8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky	M3.7	92 km	1 km
Sep 8, 1990	5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky	M3.3	96 km	0 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	148 km	0 km
Jan 27, 2009	4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky	M3.2	102 km	26 km
Jan 17, 1999	7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky	M3.1	106 km	1 km
May 26, 2021	8 km NW of Fincastle, Tennessee	M2.8	134 km	12 km
Aug 20, 2015	6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky	M2.8	48 km	34 km
Mar 17, 1999	2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio	M2.8	143 km	0 km
Mar 8, 2015	1 km SE of Pleasant View, Kentucky	M2.8	113 km	9 km
Jan 19, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M2.8	141 km	34 km
May 11, 2025	11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky	M2.8	16 km	30 km
May 22, 2024	18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky	M2.7	133 km	13 km
Oct 30, 2017	2 km N of Artemus, Kentucky	M2.7	107 km	3 km
Feb 12, 2020	3 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M2.7	141 km	35 km
Jan 22, 2018	13 km ENE of Flat Lick, Kentucky	M2.7	115 km	26 km
Mar 13, 2004	7 km N of Fincastle, Tennessee	M2.7	135 km	9 km
Mar 21, 1990	1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky	M2.7	110 km	4 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

320 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 53 fatalities, 1,072 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	90 km	20.2 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	14 km	31.9 mi	7
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	65 km	79.4 mi	4
Apr 27, 1971	EF4	74 km	13.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 1971	EF4	93 km	14.1 mi	6
Dec 11, 2021	EF3	78 km	14.5 mi	1
Mar 2, 2012	EF3	91 km	85.0 mi	10
Feb 28, 2011	EF3	96 km	2.3 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF3	11 km	21.1 mi	2
May 27, 2004	EF3	52 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 16, 1998	EF3	93 km	20.0 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF3	74 km	4.9 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF3	36 km	21.1 mi	1
Apr 3, 1974	EF3	92 km	18.0 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF3	80 km	19.3 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF3	71 km	28.8 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF3	67 km	22.3 mi	7
Apr 3, 1974	EF3	94 km	13.9 mi	2
Jun 29, 1973	EF3	70 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 23, 1970	EF3	67 km	0.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CRANE CREEK (7,555 acres, 2001).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2001	CRANE CREEK	7,555	82 km
2001	COOL SPRINGS	7,477	100 km
1987	UNNAMED	6,456	88 km
1987	LOCUST GAP	6,014	93 km
1987	UNNAMED	5,426	76 km
2013	UNNAMED	3,940	95 km
2021	UNNAMED	3,258	85 km
2016	JETTS CREEK FIRE	3,021	91 km
2001	UNNAMED	2,874	87 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,734	86 km
1987	SPENCER RIDGE	2,556	66 km
2022	CUT GAP	2,504	47 km
2001	PANCO WOLF BRANCH	2,504	99 km
2010	AUGER SPRINGS RX	2,199	79 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,128	88 km
2022	UNNAMED	1,972	93 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,954	69 km
2000	MAYBE LATER	1,931	94 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,905	79 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,866	99 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (1°C)	3.3 in	Coldest
February	37°F (3°C)	3.6 in
March	46°F (8°C)	4.5 in
April	54°F (12°C)	4.2 in
May	63°F (17°C)	4.8 in	Wettest
June	71°F (22°C)	4.2 in
July	76°F (24°C)	4.7 in	Warmest
August	74°F (24°C)	3.9 in
September	68°F (20°C)	3.9 in
October	57°F (14°C)	2.9 in	Driest
November	46°F (8°C)	3.9 in
December	38°F (3°C)	4.3 in

Lancaster has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 33°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (2.9").

View full profile of Lancaster, KY →