According to Abbreviation Finder, Kentucky (KY) is a state in the southeastern United States. Kentucky is one of the four states that make up a so-called Commonwealth (along with Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia). Kentucky has a fairly wide variety of landscapes. For example, much of eastern Kentucky belongs to the Appalachians, a mountain range that is significantly present in the eastern part of the United States.
Maritime climate
Most of Kentucky has a warm maritime climate. This subtropical climate ensures that there is fertile weather for a large number of plant species over a long period of time. It is not for nothing that the agricultural sector in Kentucky in particular has always been very successful. Four seasons of Kentucky has to do with cool winters, distinctly unpredictable intermediate seasons, and warm summers. On average, there is about 1200 millimeters of precipitation on an annual basis, with spring being slightly wetter and autumn slightly drier than the other seasons. In the higher elevations in eastern Kentucky, it can get a bit cooler in the winter months. Temperatures there can also be somewhat tempered in the summer months. In the lower parts of Kentucky, the maximum temperature in the summer is around the tropical value of 30 degrees. Sometimes it gets a bit hotter. During a heat wave, the temperature can rise well above 30 degrees. Throughclimate change, this has happened more and more in recent years.
Climate figures
The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).
| maximum temperature | minimum temperature | hours of sunshine per day | days of rainfall per month | |
| January | 4℃ | -6℃ | 4 | 12 |
| February | 7℃ | -5℃ | 4 | 11 |
| March | 13℃ | -1℃ | 5 | 14 |
| April | 19℃ | 4℃ | 7 | 12 |
| May | 24℃ | 9℃ | 8 | 12 |
| June | 28℃ | 15℃ | 8 | 10 |
| July | 31℃ | 17℃ | 8 | 11 |
| August | 30℃ | 17℃ | 8 | 9 |
| September | 26℃ | 13℃ | 7 | 9 |
| October | 20℃ | 6℃ | 6 | 8 |
| November | 13℃ | 1℃ | 4 | 11 |
| December | 7℃ | -3℃ | 3 | 12 |
The climate of Frankfurt
According to Countryaah, the city of Frankfort, located in the north of the American state of Kentucky, is the capital of this state. Frankfort is not the largest city in Kentucky, that is the city of Louisville in the west. The name Frankfort is a corruption of ‘Frank’s Ford’, a name the city already had at the end of the 18th century. Frankfort is located at an elevation of 155 feet above sea level and is split by the Kentucky River. Frankfort is known for some excellent bourbon distilleries and several historic church buildings.
Frankfurt is located in a transition area between a warm maritime climate (type Cfa) and a warm continental climate (type Dfa according to the Köppen climate system). Four-season Frankfurt has warm summers, cooler winters and two transitional seasons, in which the weather can be quite unpredictable. There is an average of 1106 millimeters of precipitation per year, with no clearly wet or dry months. You can have to deal with a rain shower or rainy day all year round. In the months of December and January precipitation can fall in the form of snow. To a slightly lesser extent, this also applies to November, February and even March.
The climate of Lexington
Lexington is located in the central part of the US state of Kentucky. The city is known as the “Horse Capital of the World”, in 2010 the world equestrian games were held here. Lexington is home to two horse racing tracks, the Red Mile Harness Track and the Kentucky Horse Park. The city has a number of universities, including the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University. The city is also known for the annual bluegrass festival.
Lexington has a warm maritime climate, which is largely influenced by the warm continental climate. The summer months are pleasantly warm here, although the nights can sometimes be on the cool side. Winters are cold and periods of prolonged night frost are no exception. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year and will mainly come down in the winter months as snow or sleet.
The climate of Louisville
Louisville is located in the north of the state of Kentucky and is the largest city in this state. Louisville is not far from the Indiana border. The Ohio River forms the border between the two states. There are a large number of bourbon distilleries in the city and about 1/3 of all bourbon comes from Louisville. Outside the city is Fort Knox, a large army base that has gained worldwide fame because the largest gold deposit in America is guarded here. Louisville is internationally known for the Kentucky Derby.
Louisville has a warm maritime climate, which has many similarities with the warm continental climate. The city is therefore located in a so-called transition zone. In the winter months you have a chance of prolonged night frost. In the summer months it can easily reach 30 degrees Celsius or warmer in the hottest part of the day. Precipitation is evenly distributed over the twelve months of the year. Louisville is located in Tornado Alley and tornadoes can occur here during tornado season.
The climate of Owensboro
Owensboro is located in northwestern Kentucky, not far from the Indiana town of Evansville. Owensboro is located on the Ohio River and was built in the former home of the Shawnee Indians. Owensboro is home to the International Bluegrass Music Museum, which houses the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. One of America’s oldest synagogues, the Temple Adath Israel, is located in Owensboro.
Owensboro has a warm maritime climate, which is strongly influenced by the warm continental climate. This combination ensures that frost does occur here, but the period that this frost lasts is a lot shorter than in the more northerly places. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year. In the winter months you can assume that during the coldest days the precipitation comes down as snow or sleet.
The climate of Paducah
Paducah is a small town in the far west of the US state of Kentucky. The city is located in McCracken County, where the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers meet. Paducah is known for its quilting. Every year tens of thousands flock to the annual quilt meeting. It will therefore come as no surprise that the National Quilt Museum is located in Paducah.
Paducah has a warm maritime climate, with strong influences from the warm continental climate. Summers are warm and pleasant. The nights can still be on the cold side during this period. During the winter months it can be quite cold and long periods of night frost are the rule rather than the exception. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year and can come down as snow or sleet during the winter months.
