KENTUCKY — Measurable snowfall is a regular and historically documented occurrence in Kentucky during the month of January, based on long-term weather records from the National Weather Service and other climatological data sources.
January is typically the coldest month of the year in Kentucky, with average temperatures cold enough across much of the state to support snow rather than rain during winter storm systems.
Northern and eastern parts of the state, including higher elevations in the Appalachian region, have historically recorded more frequent and heavier snowfall than southern and western areas. However, measurable snow has been observed statewide in many Januarys.
Climate data show that most locations in Kentucky average at least some measurable snowfall during January, often ranging from a few inches in western Kentucky to higher totals in the north and east.
Cities such as Louisville, Lexington, and Ashland have all recorded multiple January snowfall events over decades of record-keeping, including both light accumulations and significant winter storms.
Snowfall in January typically occurs when cold Arctic air masses move south into the Ohio and Tennessee valleys while moisture-rich storm systems pass through the region. These setups have historically produced snow, sleet, or mixed precipitation across Kentucky. Even in milder winters, brief periods of cold air have still allowed for measurable snowfall in January.
While snowfall amounts and frequency vary from year to year, historical weather data confirm that January consistently presents the atmospheric conditions necessary for measurable snowfall somewhere in Kentucky.
