Lexington Weather Radar

Lexington Live Weather

Lexington Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Lexington cloud cover radar map and the Lexington precipitation radar map.

Lexington Hourly Weather Forecast

Lexington 7-Day Weather Forecast

Lexington Weather Overview

Lexington sits in Kentucky's Bluegrass region at 978 feet elevation, where a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) brings four distinct seasons. Annual precipitation averages 49.84 inches, and temperatures have spanned from −21°F on January 24, 1963, to 108°F on July 10, 1936. The NWS Weather Forecast Office in Louisville (WFO LMK) covers Fayette County. Check the lexington ky weather radar whenever a frontal system approaches—conditions here can shift from calm to severe within hours.

Spring is the most dangerous storm season in central Kentucky. Severe thunderstorms with large hail and damaging winds push through from March through June, and tornadoes are a genuine threat. The April 3, 1974 Super Outbreak sent multiple tornadoes through Kentucky in one afternoon, and Fayette County typically sees two to four tornado events per year. The lexington ky weather radar shows rotating cells and storm intensity from the WFO LMK Doppler feed, often 20 minutes before a storm arrives. Keep the lexington ky weather radar open whenever a tornado watch covers Fayette County.

Ice storms are Lexington's most disruptive winter hazard. The January 2009 ice storm left 500,000 Kentucky homes without power, killed 35 people statewide, and prompted the governor to mobilize the entire state National Guard. A quarter-inch of ice on I-75, I-64, or New Circle Road shuts down commutes for hours. Monitor the lexington ky weather radar from December through March to separate rain from freezing precipitation. Flooding along Town Branch and Elkhorn Creek makes the lexington ky weather radar worth checking year-round.

Lexington Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Lexington weather radar

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Severe thunderstorms roll through Lexington regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Lexington, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.

Tornado Risk

Tornadoes hit Lexington hardest in spring and early summer, when warm Gulf air slams into cooler northern fronts. Supercell thunderstorms can spin up EF2+ tornadoes with very little lead time. On radar, rotation signatures inside storm cells give you a few critical minutes to reach shelter. Lexington averages several tornado warnings per year — know where your safe room or interior closet is before you need it.

Ice Storm Risk

Ice storms are rare in Lexington but devastating when they hit. A quarter-inch of freezing rain coats everything — roads turn into skating rinks, power lines snap, trees come down. The radar shows whether you're getting rain, freezing rain, sleet, or snow — that distinction is critical. When Lexington gets an ice storm warning, stay off the roads and prepare for power outages that could last several days.

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flash flooding is Lexington's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

How to Use Lexington Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Lexington weather radar data.

Open the Live Radar Map

Tap the radar map at the top of the page to launch the full interactive view. The map centers on Lexington, KY (Fayette County), so you can immediately see precipitation moving across the Bluegrass region and toward the city.

Check for Severe Weather Alerts

Watch for red or purple shading, which signals intense storm cells or possible rotation. In spring, Lexington's location in central Kentucky puts it in the path of fast-moving supercell thunderstorms. During tornado season (March–June), check the radar every 15 to 20 minutes when a watch is active.

Zoom In on Your Commute Route

Before driving on I-75, I-64, or New Circle Road, zoom into the radar to check whether precipitation is rain or freezing rain. In winter, what looks like a light rain band on the regional view can be a serious ice storm coating bridges and overpasses across Lexington.

Plan Around Big Events

Before a game at Rupp Arena or a race day at Keeneland, check the radar an hour ahead. Afternoon thunderstorms in summer develop quickly in central Kentucky, and the open infield at Keeneland can turn dangerous with little advance warning from standard forecasts.

Who Benefits from Lexington Weather Radar

How different people use the Lexington radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Commuters on I-75, I-64, and New Circle Road track ice accumulation and storm cells before rush hour.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hikers at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary and park-goers at Jacobson Park check radar before heading out.

Event Planners & Families

Fans headed to Rupp Arena games and Keeneland race days monitor afternoon thunderstorm timing.

Outdoor Workers

Bluegrass horse farm workers and construction crews in Lexington monitor daily storm and ice risk.

Lexington Weather FAQ

Common questions about Lexington weather patterns and radar

When is tornado season in Lexington, KY?

Tornado season in Lexington runs primarily from March through June, with April being the most active month. Fayette County typically sees two to four tornado events per year. The catastrophic April 3, 1974 Super Outbreak sent multiple tornadoes through central Kentucky in a single afternoon. Tornadoes can also occur in fall (October–November), so year-round radar monitoring is worthwhile for anyone in the area.

What was the worst ice storm in Lexington's history?

The January 2009 ice storm is the most destructive in modern Kentucky history. It left over 500,000 homes statewide without power, killed 35 people in Kentucky, and prompted Governor Steve Beshear to activate the entire state National Guard—the largest such mobilization in state history. Roads across Lexington, including I-75 and I-64, became impassable for days as ice accumulated on bridges and overpasses throughout Fayette County.

How much rain does Lexington get each year?

Lexington averages 49.84 inches of precipitation per year, distributed across approximately 134 days of measurable rain or snow. May is the wettest month at 5.44 inches on average. Winter brings about 14.5 inches of snow per season, though ice accumulation is typically more disruptive than snowfall. The relatively high annual rainfall supports the Bluegrass region's famous horse farms while also elevating flash flood risk along Town Branch and Elkhorn Creek.

What are Lexington's record temperatures?

Lexington's all-time heat record is 108°F, set on both July 10 and July 15, 1936, during a brutal summer heat wave. The record cold stands at −21°F, recorded on January 24, 1963. Daily averages range from 33.9°F in January to 76.7°F in July. This wide seasonal swing creates volatile spring storm conditions when cold Canadian air masses clash with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico.

What climate type does Lexington have, and why does it matter for weather?

Lexington sits at the northern edge of the humid subtropical zone (Köppen Cfa), at 978 feet elevation in the Bluegrass plateau. Summers are hot and humid, winters are moderately cold with periodic ice threats, and spring brings the most volatile severe weather. The city's inland location means it doesn't get lake-effect snow, but it does sit in the path of Gulf moisture streams that fuel powerful spring thunderstorms and ice storms from November through March.

How is this different from WKYT or LEX18 weather radar?

WKYT (CBS 27) and LEX18 (ABC 18) are Lexington's local TV stations—they deliver weather during scheduled newscasts with on-air meteorologist commentary. LocalWeatherRadar.org offers the interactive doppler radar map on demand, any time of day, with no commercial breaks or video autoplay. The map updates every 20 minutes and covers precipitation type, storm intensity, and motion layers beyond what a quick TV weather segment typically shows.