Snow Climatology

Now that colder temperatures are sweeping the country and we are getting our first real taste of winter, let’s talk snow in southern Kentucky.

Even though there were some unofficial reports of sleet and snow flurries on Halloween night, the first official snowfall of the season has yet to be recorded at the Bowling Green Airport. Is this unusual? Let’s find out by taking a look at some snow climatology for Bowling Green, KY.

On average, Bowling Green receives 8.9″ of snowfall each year, with the bulk of this snowfall occurring during December, January, and February. The snowiest month is January, when the average monthly snowfall is 3.2″. Check out some of average ‘first’ and ‘last’ dates for Bowling Green:

Average (1932-present) date of:
First trace: December 3
Last trace: March 16

First measurable snowfall: December 24
Last measurable snowfall: February 24

First inch: January 1
Last inch: February 18

First 4”: January 23
Last 4”: February 3

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Let’s take a look at how last year’s snow season stacked up to the averages:

	Snowfall (Inches)	Departure From Normal
October	0.0	-0.1
November	1.1	+1.1
December	0.1	-1.3
January	2.1	-1.1
February	2.0	-1.0
March	5.1	+4.0
April	Trace	-0.1
Total	10.4	+1.5

Winter 2013-2014 date of:
First trace: November 12 (Early)
Last trace: April 15 (Late)

First measurable snowfall: November 25 (Early)
Last measurable snowfall: March 25 (Late)

First inch: November 25th (Early)
Last inch: March 3 (Late)

First 4″: N/A
Last 4″: N/A

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Although Bowling Green’s total snowfall was only 1.5″ above average, the season was significantly longer than usual as we saw a prolonged period of below normal temperatures. What is in store for this winter? You can check out the various long-term winter forecasts online, but the best bet is to just wait and see how everything pans out. If you are a snow lover like I am, just hope that our winter ends up like some of the snowiest on record for Bowling Green:

Top 10 Snowiest Winter for Bowling Green, KY:
48.0” 1959-60
37.7” 1977-78
35.6” 1894-95
34.5” 1909-10
33.0” 1917-18
32.0” 1916-17
30.7” 1967-68,06-07
28.0” 1928-29
27.8” 1935-36
27.3” 1978-79

For additional climate information, be sure to check out the Bowling Green Climatology webpage from the NWS Louisville office.