December 2023 Summary

There were two major storm systems to affect the region during December 2023. The first was on a 9th when severe storms developed ahead of a cold front. A long-track EF-3 tornado touched down near Clarksville, TN and stayed on the ground for 48 miles into central Kentucky southwest of Bowling Green. Small, brief EF-1 tornadoes touched down on Bowling Green's south side and south of Tompkinsville. There was almost no other severe weather in central Kentucky outside of these three tornadoes.

The other significant event of the month took place on the 18th when cold air and an unstable atmosphere resulted in widespread snow showers and a few snow squalls. Frankfort experienced a snow squall that reduced visibility to 1/4 mile in heavy snow with winds gusting to 42 mph. Another squall crossed Interstate 75 in Madison County and briefly reduced visibility to near zero.

	Average Temperature	Departure from Normal	Precipitation	Departure from Normal	Snow	Departure from Normal
Bowling Green	44.3°	+3.8°	2.15"	-2.20"	0	-0.8"
Frankfort	42.0°	+3.9°	2.07"	-1.70"
Lexington	43.9°	+6.1°	2.44"	-1.76"	T	-1.9"
Louisville Ali	45.1°	+5.5°	1.86"	-2.27"	0.1"	-2.1"
Louisville Bowman	42.6°	+3.8°	1.77"	-2.11"

Records

9th warmest December on record at Lexington and Louisville
10th warmest December on record at Frankfort

Snowy traffic on Interstate 75 near Richmond, KY on December 18, 2023

Dangerous conditions along I-75 on the 18th.