A storm gathering strength over Texas today will shift to the Mid-Atlantic through Tuesday night. Areas of freezing rain and heavy snow will spread from the central Plains east into the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England. Further south, areas of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible from the southern Plains into the Ohio Valley. A Pacific storm will move into the Southwest Monday. Read More >
Or, take a look at Historical Kentucky Oaks weather
Coldest temperature: 36° May 4, 1940 and May 4, 1957
Coldest high temperature: 47° May 4, 1935 and May 4, 1957
Coldest average daily temperature: 42° May 4, 1957
(The cold temperatures on May 4, 1957 were accompanied by 20 to 25 mph north winds!)
Warmest temperature: 94° May 2, 1959
Warmest low temperature: 72° May 14, 1886
Warmest average daily temperature: 79° May 14, 1886
Wettest: 3.15" of rain May 5, 2018
Frozen precipitation: On May 6, 1989 sleet was observed from 1:01pm to 1:05pm.
Out of the 144 Derby Days, 68 (47%) experienced rain at some point during the day.
Longest stretch of consecutive wet Derby Days (24-hr): 7 (2007-2013)
Longest stretch of consecutive wet Derby Days (1pm-7pm): 6 (1989-1994)
Longest stretch of consecutive dry Derby Days (24-hr): 8 (1937-1944)
Longest stretch of consecutive dry Derby Days (1pm-7pm): 12 (1875-1886)
(The above records, unless otherwise noted, are for the entire calendar day -- not necessarily race time. Also, the data were taken at the official observation site for the city of Louisville, not at Churchill Downs itself.)
Date | High | Low | 24-Hour Precipitation | 1pm-7pm Precipitation | Weather | Winner | Track |
May 5, 2018 | 70 | 61 | 3.15" | 2.85" | Rain | Justify | Sloppy |
May 6, 2017 | 62 | 42 | 0.12" | 0.02" | Showers | Always Dreaming | Muddy |
May 7, 2016 | 85 | 59 | 0.28" | 0.04" | Mostly Cloudy | Nyquist | Fast |
May 2, 2015 | 79 | 52 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | American Pharoah | Fast |
May 3, 2014 | 73 | 45 | 0 | 0 | Mostly Sunny | California Chrome | Fast |
May 4, 2013 | 64 | 53 | 0.87" | 0.44" | Rain | Orb | Sloppy |
May 5, 2012 | 83 | 65 | 1.46" | 0 | Partly Sunny | I'll Have Another | Fast |
May 7, 2011 | 72 | 51 | Trace | Trace | Mostly Cloudy | Animal Kingdom | Fast |
May 1, 2010 | 75 | 63 | 1.32" | 0.13" | Thunderstorms | Super Saver | Sloppy |
May 2, 2009 | 62 | 51 | 0.07" | 0 | Cloudy | Mine That Bird | Sloppy |
May 3, 2008 | 75 | 50 | 0.69" | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Big Brown | Fast |
May 5, 2007 | 78 | 62 | Trace | Trace | Partly Sunny | Street Sense | Fast |
May 6, 2006 | 68 | 52 | 0 | 0 | Partly Sunny | Barbaro | Fast |
May 7, 2005 | 80 | 48 | 0 | 0 | Mostly Sunny | Giacomo | Fast |
May 1, 2004 | 75 | 53 | 0.46" | 0.22" | Thunderstorms | Smarty Jones | Sloppy |
May 3, 2003 | 65 | 52 | 0 | 0 | Partly Sunny | Funny Cide | Fast |
May 4, 2002 | 71 | 49 | 0 | 0 | Mostly Sunny | War Emblem | Fast |
May 5, 2001 | 86 | 58 | 0 | 0 | Mostly Sunny | Monarchos | Fast |
May 6, 2000 | 86 | 63 | Trace | Trace | Mostly Sunny | Fusaichi Pegasus | Fast |
May 1, 1999 | 75 | 46 | 0 | 0 | Sunny | Charismatic | Fast |
May 2, 1998 | 75 | 49 | 0.03" | 0 | Thunderstorms | Real Quiet | Fast |
May 3, 1997 | 60 | 47 | 0.22" | 0.01" | Showers | Silver Charm | Fast |
May 4, 1996 | 80 | 61 | 0.04" | 0 | Thunderstorms | Grindstone | Fast |
May 6, 1995 | 74 | 46 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Thunder Gulch | Fast |
May 7, 1994 | 70 | 50 | 0.63" | 0.27" | Thunderstorms | Go for Gin | Sloppy |
May 1, 1993 | 76 | 57 | 0.02" | 0.02" | Cloudy | Sea Hero | Fast |
May 2, 1992 | 81 | 65 | 0.83" | 0.35" | Thunderstorms | Lil E. Tee | Fast |
May 4, 1991 | 80 | 64 | 0.06" | 0.06" | Thunderstorms | Strike the Gold | Fast |
May 5, 1990 | 63 | 48 | Trace | Trace | Sprinkles, Drizzle | Unbridled | Good |
May 6, 1989 | 51 | 39 | 0.09" | 0.01" | Sleet | Sunday Silence | Muddy |
May 7, 1988 | 81 | 50 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Winning Colors | Fast |
May 2, 1987 | 87 | 61 | 0 | 0 | Mostly Cloudy | Alysheba | Fast |
May 3, 1986 | 63 | 40 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Ferdinand | Fast |
May 4, 1985 | 74 | 46 | 0 | 0 | partly Cloudy | Spend a Buck | Fast |
May 5, 1984 | 71 | 46 | 0.09" | Trace | Cloudy | Swale | Fast |
May 7, 1983 | 81 | 58 | 0.54" | 0.10" | Thunderstorms | Sunny's Halo | Fast |
May 1, 1982 | 75 | 55 | Trace | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Gato Del Sol | Fast |
May 2, 1981 | 68 | 45 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Pleasant Colony | Fast |
May 3, 1980 | 75 | 54 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Genuine Risk | Fast |
May 5, 1979 | 65 | 39 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Spectacular Bid | Fast |
May 6, 1978 | 67 | 43 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Affirmed | Fast |
May 7, 1977 | 77 | 61 | 0.03" | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Seattle Slew | Fast |
May 1, 1976 | 73 | 52 | 0.01" | 0.01" | Cloudy | Bold Forbes | Fast |
May 3, 1975 | 72 | 56 | 0.23" | 0.23" | Cloudy | Foolish Pleasure | Fast |
May 4, 1974 | 66 | 44 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Cannonade | Fast |
May 5, 1973 | 67 | 39 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Secretariat | Fast |
May 6, 1972 | 81 | 51 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Riva Ridge | Fast |
May 1, 1971 | 73 | 37 | 0.01" | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Canonero II | Fast |
May 2, 1970 | 64 | 48 | 0.28" | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Dust Commander | Good |
May 3, 1969 | 81 | 53 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Majestic Prince | Fast |
May 4, 1968 | 72 | 56 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Forward pass | Fast |
May 6, 1967 | 63 | 57 | 0.78" | 0.31" | Thunderstorms | Proud Clarion | Fast |
May 7, 1966 | 80 | 46 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Kauai King | Fast |
May 1, 1965 | 84 | 60 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Lucky Debonair | Fast |
May 2, 1964 | 76 | 49 | 0 | 0 | Cloudy | Northern Dancer | Fast |
May 4, 1963 | 80 | 49 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Chateaugay | Fast |
May 5, 1962 | 81 | 47 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Decidedly | Fast |
May 6, 1961 | 81 | 52 | 0.25" | Trace | Thunderstorms | Carry Back | Good |
May 7, 1960 | 64 | 40 | 0.20" | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Venetian Way | Good |
May 2, 1959 | 94 | 58 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Tomy Lee | Fast |
May 3, 1958 | 86 | 64 | 0.11" | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Tim Tam | Muddy |
May 4, 1957 | 47 | 36 | 0 | 0 | Cloudy | Iron Liege | Fast |
May 5, 1956 | 82 | 48 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Needles | Fast |
May 7, 1955 | 85 | 57 | 0.01" | 0.01" | Thunderstorms | Swaps | Fast |
May 1, 1954 | 84 | 66 | 0.15" | 0.01" | Thunderstorms | Determine | Fast |
May 2, 1953 | 76 | 55 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Dark Star | Fast |
May 3, 1952 | 79 | 55 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Hill Gail | Fast |
May 5, 1951 | 67 | 51 | 0.02" | 0 | partly Cloudy | Count Turf | Fast |
May 6, 1950 | 70 | 51 | 0.11" | 0 | Thunderstorms | Middleground | Fast |
May 7, 1949 | 75 | 57 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Ponder | Fast |
May 1, 1948 | 72 | 51 | 0.80" | Trace | Thunderstorms | Citation | Sloppy |
May 3, 1947 | 57 | 47 | 0.02" | 0 | Cloudy | Jet Pilot | Slow |
May 4, 1946 | 68 | 45 | 0.01" | Trace | Cloudy | Assault | Slow |
June 9, 1945 | 77 | 63 | 0.50" | 0.03" | Thunderstorms | Hoop, Jr. | Muddy |
May 6, 1944 | 51 | 40 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Pensive | Good |
May 1, 1943 | 58 | 39 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Count Fleet | Fast |
May 2, 1942 | 87 | 67 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Shut Out | Fast |
May 3, 1941 | 76 | 54 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Whirlaway | Fast |
May 4, 1940 | 62 | 36 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Gallahadion | Fast |
May 6, 1939 | 83 | 56 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Johnstown | Fast |
May 7, 1938 | 80 | 57 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Lawrin | Fast |
May 8, 1937 | 71 | 48 | 0 | 0 | Clear | War Admiral | Fast |
May 2, 1936 | 78 | 64 | 0.34" | 0 | Thunderstorms | Bold Venture | Fast |
May 4, 1935 | 47 | 40 | 0.14" | 0.10" | Cloudy | Omaha | Good |
May 5, 1934 | 76 | 65 | 0.04" | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Cavalcade | Fast |
May 6, 1933 | 59 | 53 | 0.09" | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Brokers Tip | Good |
May 7, 1932 | 83 | 68 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Burgoo King | Fast |
May 16, 1931 | 84 | 61 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Twenty Grand | Fast |
May 17, 1930 | 69 | 59 | 0.11" | 0.11" | Cloudy | Gallant Fox | Good |
May 18, 1929 | 77 | 54 | 1.19" | 0.66" | Thunderstorms | Clyde Van Dusen | Muddy |
May 19, 1928 | 75 | 61 | 0.62" | 0.39" | Thunderstorms | Reigh Count | Heavy |
May 14, 1927 | 64 | 49 | 0.35" | 0.22" | Thunderstorms | Whiskery | Slow |
May 15, 1926 | 64 | 46 | Trace | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Bubbling Over | Fast |
May 16, 1925 | 86 | 60 | 0.14" | 0.12" | Thunderstorms | Flying Ebony | Sloppy |
May 17, 1924 | 74 | 55 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Black Gold | Fast |
May 19, 1923 | 85 | 60 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Zev | Fast |
May 13, 1922 | 77 | 64 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Morvich | Fast |
May 7, 1921 | 73 | 48 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Behave Yourself | Fast |
May 8, 1920 | 72 | 53 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Paul Jones | Slow |
May 10, 1919 | 57 | 48 | 0.09" | 0 | Cloudy | Sir Barton | Heavy |
May 11, 1918 | 68 | 49 | 2.31" | 1.00" | Thunderstorms | Exterminator | Muddy |
May 12, 1917 | 60 | 40 | 0 | 0 | Cloudy | Omar Khayyam | Fast |
May 13, 1916 | 83 | 54 | Trace | 0 | Partly Cloudy | George Smith | Fast |
May 8, 1915 | 71 | 51 | Trace | Trace | Clear | Regret | Fast |
May 9, 1914 | 72 | 49 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Old Rosebud | Fast |
May 10, 1913 | 61 | 46 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Donerail | Fast |
May 11, 1912 | 77 | 60 | 1.04" | 0.45" | Cloudy | Worth | Muddy |
May 13, 1911 | 82 | 60 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Meridian | Fast |
May 10, 1910 | 82 | 61 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Donau | Fast |
May 3, 1909 | 57 | 43 | 0.21" | Trace | Cloudy | Wintergreen | Slow |
May 5, 1908 | 72 | 52 | 0.72" | 0 | Thunderstorms | Stone Street | Heavy |
May 6, 1907 | 67 | 56 | 0.67" | 0 | Cloudy | Pink Star | Heavy |
May 2, 1906 | 83 | 63 | 0.25" | 0.24" | Thunderstorms | Sir Huron | Fast |
May 10, 1905 | 89 | 63 | 0.58" | 0 | Thunderstorms | Agile | Heavy |
May 2, 1904 | 73 | 55 | T | T | Partly Cloudy | Elwood | Fast |
May 2, 1903 | 74 | 40 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Judge Himes | Fast |
May 3, 1902 | 89 | 65 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Alan-a-Dale | Fast |
April 29, 1901 | 83 | 52 | 0 | 0 | Clear | His Eminence | Fast |
May 3, 1900 | 66 | 46 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Lieutenant Gibson | Fast |
May 4, 1899 | 80 | 60 | Trace | Trace | Cloudy | Manuel | Fast |
May 4, 1898 | 62 | 57 | 0.35" | 0.35" | Cloudy | Plaudit | Good |
May 12, 1897 | 76 | 61 | 0.82" | 0 | Cloudy | Typhoon II | Heavy |
May 6, 1896 | 84 | 60 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Ben Brush | Dusty |
May 6, 1895 | 82 | 66 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Halma | Fast |
May 15, 1894 | 87 | 66 | 0.04" | 0.04" | Partly Cloudy | Chant | Fast |
May 10, 1893 | 79 | 54 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Lookout | Fast |
May 11, 1892 | 55 | 51 | Trace | Trace | Cloudy | Azra | Heavy |
May 13, 1891 | 71 | 53 | 0 | 0 | Cloudy | Kingman | Slow |
May 14, 1890 | 63 | 54 | 0.31" | 0 | Cloudy | Riley | Muddy |
May 9, 1889 | 90 | 66 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Spokane | Fast |
May 14, 1888 | 56 | 42 | 0 | 0 | Cloudy | Macbeth II | Fast |
May 11, 1887 | 79 | 59 | Trace | Trace | Partly Cloudy | Montrose | Fast |
May 14, 1886 | 85 | 72 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Ben Ali | Fast |
May 14, 1885 | 73 | 50 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Joe Cotton | Good |
May 16, 1884 | 68 | 55 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Buchanan | Good |
May 23, 1883 | 67 | 44 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Leonatus | Heavy |
May 16, 1882 | 63 | 44 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Apollo | Good |
May 17, 1881 | 75 | 55 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Hindoo | Fast |
May 18, 1880 | 86 | 62 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Fonso | Dusty |
May 20, 1879 | 90 | 63 | 0.03" | 0 | Clear | Lord Murphy | Fast |
May 21, 1878 | 76 | 64 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Day Star | Dusty |
May 22, 1877 | 81 | 63 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Baden-Baden | Fast |
May 15, 1876 | 86 | 65 | 0 | 0 | Partly Cloudy | Vagrant | Fast |
May 17, 1875 | 68 | 46 | 0 | 0 | Clear | Aristides | Fast |