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Weather & Climate in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lexington-Fayette urban county enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 286 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 37.8 inches. The area receives 3.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 1,066 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.3°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 286 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,066 ft (325 m) |
| Area | 283.9 sq mi (735.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,131/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.0407°N, 84.4583°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Fayette County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 69 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 39.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 75.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| 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: M3.7.
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 130 km | 1 km |
| Feb 19, 1995 | 8 km SSE of Rocky Fork Point, Ohio | M3.6 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 63 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 144 km | 26 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 140 km | 1 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 34 km | 34 km |
| Mar 17, 1999 | 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio | M2.8 | 97 km | 0 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 34 km | 30 km |
| Oct 30, 2017 | 2 km N of Artemus, Kentucky | M2.7 | 142 km | 3 km |
| Jan 22, 2018 | 13 km ENE of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M2.7 | 146 km | 26 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 105 km | 4 km |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky | M2.6 | 39 km | 35 km |
| Aug 4, 2023 | 11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky | M2.6 | 41 km | 17 km |
| May 11, 2015 | 5 km ESE of Maysville, Kentucky | M2.6 | 94 km | 11 km |
| Jul 23, 2013 | 6 km NNE of Germantown, Kentucky | M2.6 | 87 km | 4 km |
| Jan 21, 2018 | 8 km SSE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.6 | 36 km | 11 km |
| Jun 20, 2017 | 10 km N of Hyden, Kentucky | M2.6 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jan 28, 2024 | 3 km SW of Old Washington, Kentucky | M2.5 | 82 km | 15 km |
| Jan 4, 1999 | 9 km WNW of Mount Sterling, Kentucky | M2.5 | 37 km | 10 km |
| Sep 27, 2009 | 22 km NNW of Hindman, Kentucky | M2.5 | 134 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
346 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 50 fatalities, 1,215 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF4 | 85 km | 9.9 mi | 4 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 82 km | 26.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 54 km | 79.4 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 36 km | 31.9 mi | 7 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF4 | 70 km | 78.7 mi | 6 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 89 km | 20.4 mi | 3 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 76 km | 85.0 mi | 10 |
| Feb 28, 2011 | EF3 | 70 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 44 km | 21.1 mi | 2 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF3 | 8 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2003 | EF3 | 91 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF3 | 93 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF3 | 99 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 79 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 32 km | 19.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 51 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1974 | EF3 | 85 km | 3.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 23, 1970 | EF3 | 24 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1967 | EF3 | 91 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 69 km | 2.6 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (6,456 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,456 | 99 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,426 | 93 km |
| 2016 | JETTS CREEK FIRE | 3,021 | 99 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,874 | 97 km |
| 1987 | SPENCER RIDGE | 2,556 | 75 km |
| 2022 | CUT GAP | 2,504 | 87 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,778 | 60 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,679 | 73 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,636 | 95 km |
| 2010 | FISH TRAP COMPLEX | 1,430 | 73 km |
| 1999 | AUXIER RIDGE | 1,160 | 72 km |
| 1999 | SOUTH FORK | 999 | 69 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 940 | 57 km |
| 2017 | MIZE 2 | 841 | 88 km |
| 2022 | PITTS ROAD | 773 | 60 km |
| 2001 | WILLOW II | 683 | 75 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 626 | 73 km |
| 2013 | WIND CAVE | 622 | 74 km |
| 2010 | LITTLE DOE CREEK | 612 | 61 km |
| 2022 | TRAVIS CREEK | 606 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 3.0 in | |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 4.0 in |
Lexington-Fayette urban county has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 35°F in February to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and October the driest (2.8").