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.
Frost dates matter for concrete, which must not freeze in its first 48 hours, for paint and caulk that need nights above their minimum, and for lawn care, since crabgrass preventer goes down as the soil warms in spring. See how late in fall you can stain, paint or seal.
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. 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.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the deck staining forecast.
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. 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.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the exterior painting forecast.
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. 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.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the concrete pouring forecast.
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. 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. 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.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the driveway sealing forecast.
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.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the lawn fertilizer forecast.
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). If you live between them, expect something in between, and higher ground to be cooler with a shorter season.
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 at least 0.1 inch of rain or melted snow. Freezing nights: average nights a month at or below 32°F. Humidity is calculated from NOAA hourly normal temperature and dew point at 3 PM.
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 |
Use the averages, then check the forecast
These ratings describe a typical month, not a particular week. A warm spell in a “poor” month can give you a good day, and a wet week can spoil a “good” one. Use this page to plan the season, then check the 7-day forecast for your ZIP code before you buy materials or book help. Each project forecast checks the hours after you finish too: overnight lows, dew and rain that would ruin fresh stain, paint, sealer or concrete.
About this data
Monthly temperatures, rain days, snowfall and freeze dates are NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Climate Normals for 1991–2020 at LOUISVILLE INTL AP, LEXINGTON BLUEGRASS AP. Ratings apply the same temperature limits as our forecasts (for example, 50°F or warmer for deck stain and driveway sealer, and no freezing nights for new concrete) to the average month. Your product label always takes priority.
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. Look for at least 24 dry hours before and after, and nights above about 40°F. The deck staining forecast checks your exact week.
When is the last frost in Kentucky?
Louisville: around March 31; Lexington: around April 13. These are median dates from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, so a freeze after them happens in about half of years. Low spots and valleys freeze later in spring.
Can you pour concrete in winter in Kentucky?
Yes, but it needs 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. Most sealers need 50°F or warmer for 24 hours and a dry day after. See the driveway sealing forecast.