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. While exact weather conditions typically can’t be predicted more than a week in advance, here’s a seasonal outlook to help you prepare for what winter will bring.
Reminder: The first day of winter is on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
🌡️ Temperature
Think of typical winter temps for LOU. This winter, Derby City has a 34% chance of temperatures being normal — highs of 45 degrees and lows of 28 degrees.
🌨️ Precipitation
Expect slightly more precipitation. Louisville has a 44% chance of seeing higher than average snow and rainfall amounts this winter.
☀️ Drought
Drought conditions are expected to remain but improve this season.
What December has in store
Typically in Louisville, December’s temperatures fluctuate between an average low of 31.8°F and an average high of 44.1°F, but expect to see more of those mid-40° days this year. December is also the month that sees the shortest days, with an average of 9 hours and 34 minutes of daylight. The sun rises at 7:41 a.m. and sets at 5:23 p.m.
Onward to January
January has consistently been the coldest month of the year in the 502, with an average low of 25.9°F and an average high of 38.8°F. If you’re a fan of snow, this is when you can start to look for accumulation. The most likely months for snowfall in LOU are January-April — it typically snows 7.3 days in January.
February’s forecast
February tends to be frosty in River City with an average low of 28.9°F and average high of 43.7°F. If you’re over the dark and dreary days by this point, here’s some good news. February is when Louisville starts to see longer days, averaging 10 hours and 48 minutes of daylight.
