The fall season is here, and while many are enjoying the colorful leaves, apple orchards and pumpkin spice lattes, colder weather will soon be approaching in the commonwealth.
On average, Kentucky begins to see freezing temperatures in mid-October to early November. Some counties experience a freeze before others, depending on elevation and geographic location. Here’s what to expect in your county.
What is the difference between a frost and a freeze?
According to the Old Farmers’ Almanac, frost forms at temperatures near or above 32 degrees, while a freeze is when temperatures drop to or below 32 degrees.
The Old Farmers’ Almanac provides first and last frost dates for select cities across the state.
When did fall 2025 officially begin?
Monday, Sept., 22, 2025, was the first day of fall. The season kicks off with the autumnal equinox, or when the sun is directly above the earth’s equator.
When will the first freezing temperatures reach Kentucky?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Purdue University have freeze data available with the average first and last freeze dates for the spring and fall seasons from 1950 to 2024.
Here are the average first freeze dates across the commonwealth.
Adair County
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Allen County
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 28.
Anderson County
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Ballard
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Nov. 3.
Barren
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 26.
Bath
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Bell
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Boone
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 26.
Bourbon
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Boyd
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
Boyle
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Bracken
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Breathitt
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Breckinridge
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Bullitt
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 18.
Butler
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Caldwell
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 29.
Calloway
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 31.
Campbell
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 27.
Carlisle
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 30.
Carroll
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Carter
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 17.
Casey
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Christian
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 29.
Clark
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Clay
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
Clinton
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Crittenden
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 31.
Cumberland
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 26.
Daviess
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 29.
Edmonson
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Elliott
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 16.
Estill
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Fayette
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Fleming
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Floyd
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Franklin
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Fulton
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 30.
Gallatin
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Garrard
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Grant
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Graves
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 30.
Grayson
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
Green
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Greenup
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
Hancock
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 31.
Hardin
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 20.
Harlan
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Harrison
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Hart
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Henderson
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 30.
Henry
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Hickman
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 29.
Hopkins
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 28.
Jackson
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 18.
Jefferson
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Jessamine
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 26.
Johnson
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
Kenton
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 27.
Knott
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Knox
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
LaRue
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 20.
Laurel
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
Lawrence
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 18.
Lee
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
Leslie
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Letcher
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Lewis
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Lincoln
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Livingston
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 31.
Logan
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 26.
Lyon
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 31.
Madison
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Mangoffin
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
Marion
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 20.
Marshall
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Nov. 1.
Martin
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Mason
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
McCracken
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 31.
McCreary
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
McLean
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 28.
Meade
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 20.
Menifee
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
Mercer
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Metcalfe
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 26.
Monroe
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 26.
Montgomery
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Morgan
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 17.
Muhlenberg
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 26.
Nelson
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 18.
Nicholas
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Ohio
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Oldham
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
Owen
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Owsley
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 20.
Pendleton
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Perry
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Pike
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 27.
Powell
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Pulaski
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Robertson
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Rockcastle
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 20.
Rowan
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 19.
Russell
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Scott
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 25.
Shelby
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 20.
Simpson
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 26.
Spencer
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 18.
Kentucky winter 2025-2026: Farmers’ Almanac has released 2025-2026 winter outlook. What it means for Kentucky
Taylor
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 22.
Todd
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 28.
Trigg
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 30.
Trimble
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 24.
Union
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 31.
Warren
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 26.
Washington
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 20.
Wayne
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Webster
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 29.
Whitley
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 23.
Wolfe
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 21.
Woodford
Average first freeze at 32 degrees: Oct. 26.
Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Average first freeze dates in Kentucky. When will temps drop?