LOUtoday Live City Guide

It’s a winter-ful life

Average temps and more snow than usual are in our future.

A bridge hangs over a frozen river, as a tow boat pushes through the ice. On the banks, snow covers the walkways.

During the blizzard of 1994, the Ohio River froze over.

Photo by William Alden III via Wikimedia Commons

We know the question on your mind, Louisvillians — when’s it going to get cold? Thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, we know what temperatures and precipitation trends to expect in our city for December, January, and February.

Reminder: The first day of winter is on Sunday, Dec. 21.

Temperature

Louisville can expect to see average temperatures this winter. That means an average daytime temperature of around 40 degrees. That doesn’t mean we won’t have select days that are much colder though — so keep an eye on the forecast and keep those pipes protected.

Precipitation

Louisville has a 40-50% chance of seeing higher than average snow and rainfall amounts this winter — but hopefully not as much as last year. Louisville’s average snowfall varies widely from year to year, from 2.2 inches in 2020 to a whopping 22.1 inches in 2025, the highest on record since 2003. If the blizzards do come back, we’ve got you covered with snow day safety tips and tricks.

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