Early winter · Weather & things to do
Lexington in December
Lexington cools off: highs slip to 43°F (6°C), from 54°F in November, with lows of 28°F (-2°C) and about 4.2 in (107 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 43/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 43°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Rain or snow
- 4.2 in (107 mm)
- Humidity
- 86%
- Cloud cover
- 72%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 22 min
- Comfort score
- 43/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 43°F (6°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 28°F (-2°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 4.2 in (107 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with lows well below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Only about 9 h 22 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September & October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 28°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 22 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 68/100 in November to 43/100.
- Our Kentucky Bourbon Country route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 43°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 28°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 4.2 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Lexington in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Old Friends Equine
Retirement farm for Thoroughbreds, including famous racehorses; guided tours.
James E. Pepper Distillery
Revived distillery in the Distillery District with tours and a bar.
Keeneland Track Kitchen
Cafeteria where trainers and jockeys eat breakfast after workouts.
Wallace Station Deli & Bakery
Country store deli on Old Frankfort Pike among horse farms.
Keeneland
Historic racetrack; watch morning workouts and eat at the Track Kitchen.
Nearby in December
- Bardstown in December~55 mi · highs 44°F, 4.5 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Louisville in December~70 mi · highs 43°F, 4.3 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Downtown Cincinnati in December~73 mi · highs 43°F, 3.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Knoxville in December~147 mi · highs 51°F, 4.9 in rain · 4°C (8°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Lexington in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Lexington?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 43/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September & October. Expect highs of 43°F (6°C) and 4.2 in (107 mm) of rain or snow. Our Kentucky Bourbon Country route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Lexington in December?
Average highs are 43°F (6°C) and average lows 28°F (-2°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Lexington in December?
Some: about 4.2 in (107 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 48.5 in (1231 mm).
What should I pack for Lexington in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 43°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 28°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 4.2 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Lexington
Planning Lexington in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.