Apparently, April Snow in Kentucky is Actually More Common Than You Might Think
On Fridays, I get to work at home. I love it because on days I don’t have virtual meetings, I sit in bed with my laptop, coffee, and dog and hammer out all my to-dos.
Today, my first Friday in April that I’m home working in bed, I have my windows open and I’m really enjoying these perfect temperatures. The birds are chirping, fresh cut grass is activating my allergies in the best way possible, and my neighbor’s lawnmower sounds like it’s on its last leg. I. LOVE. IT.
Everything is in bloom, and all is going splendidly. Mother Nature is going to catch on and play a cruel joke. I know it. It got me wondering how often it snows in April in Kentucky. Apparently, more than we realize.
I popped over to the National Weather Service to get some data. Now, the state is fairly large, so weather can vary from region to region. Here’s what I found out.
Does It Snow in April in Kentucky
Yes, it does. Not every year, and usually not much, but April snow is definitely part of Kentucky’s weather history. Most areas see light amounts, but it’s not unusual to get a quick dusting, especially early in the month. Kentucky has had at least 20–25 distinct Aprils with measurable snow in one or more locations across its history.
How Much Snow Can Fall in April
In most years, snowfall is minor. It's usually a dusting and rarely an inch or two at most. Cities like Louisville and Lexington have recorded measurable April snow several times, but warmer temps usually means it melts pretty quickly.
Western Kentucky vs Eastern Kentucky
Western Kentucky, including Owensboro, rarely sees much accumulation. Warmer air and lower elevation make it tough for snow to stick around. Eastern Kentucky, with higher elevations and cooler temps, can see bigger April snow events when conditions line up.
Louisville (records since 1884)
Highest daily April snowfall: 3.2 inches (April 8, 1917)
Other notable events:
1.7 inches (April 5, 1898)
1.5 inches (April 6, 1886)
Snow depth records: up to 2 inches on the ground in April
Lexington (records since 1888)
Largest daily April snowfall: 4.8 inches (April 4, 1987)
Other notable totals:
3.0 inches (April 5, 1898)
2.9 inches (April 1, 1961)
Snow recorded as late as April 21 (1.0 inch in 1901)
Bowling Green (records since 1893)
Typical April snow: trace to 1.5 inches max
Highest daily: 1.5 inches (April 1, 1996)
Many years only see a trace or nothing
Owensboro Average April Snowfall
0.04 inches total for the entire month
Snow falls on about 0.3 days in April
Southern Kentucky almost never sees meaningful April snow
Biggest Kentucky April Snowstorm (All-Time)
Back in 1987, southeastern Kentucky was buried under 30+ inches of snow, and widespread heavy snow incapacitated the Appalachians. Since the dogwood trees were already blooming, the name "Dogwood Stormstorm" stuck.
What's April Weather Like in Owensboro?
Thankfully, our weather in Owensboro stays pretty steady within normal "springtime" ranges. According to Weather Atlas, we get over 8.9 hours of sunshine a day with more than 13 hours of daylight. Average temperatures range from 48 degrees for the lows to 66 degrees for the highs, with humidity around 77 percent. This year has been a tad warmer than usual.
April is also the month with the most rainfall. On average, rain falls about 15.7 days, accumulating around 3.86 inches of precipitation.
This is what I imagine heaven’s climate must be like all the time. Maybe I made it already and just don’t know it yet. Well, then again, I doubt heaven will have these daggone allergies.