More heat builds in for the first few days of summer
With the summer season officially here it will definitely feel like it into the weekend
The summer solstice occurred at 4:50 P.M. Eastern time on Thursday and it definitely felt like it across Central and Eastern Kentucky. With a bit more in the way of sunshine around the area afternoon highs jumped into the upper 80s with a few low 90s here and there. Sure it was a bit muggy as expected but our heat index values were crazy high, mainly staying into the mid-90s worse case. So in reality we weren’t too far above the curve for mid to late June for the second day in a row but it appears the heat will crank up a bit more as we close out the week and into the upcoming weekend.
The big bubble of high pressure and heat which has been impacting the eastern part of the country all week will begin to drift westward into the day on Friday. Being underneath the high allows the air to sink, compress, and heat up which eliminates any afternoon thunderstorm development and allows temperatures to climb even more. As a result Friday should be one of our hotter days so far here in 2024 with afternoon highs reaching the mid-90s. Heat indices should flirt with the 100 degree mark at times but should stay below the advisory range, Despite that make sure and slow it down during the hottest part of the day and find a cool spot.
Rolling into the weekend on Saturday it will be an ideal day to be at the pool or the lake as temperatures continue to be well above average even for late June. Afternoon highs will again top out into the mid-90s with heat indices at or just above the 100 degree mark. Given that it’s a summer weekend day there will be plenty of folks outdoors for events so you’ll really need to hydrate and find as much shade as possible. The stagnant and dry pattern gets broken up a little on Sunday as a weak front breaks through the “bubble” and drops down into the Ohio Valley. This will allow for some much needed rain and storm chances although the activity shouldn’t be widespread. Highs should be a few degrees lower but still hot into the low 90s.
The beginning of next week looks dry to start as temperatures back off into the upper 80s to around 90 on Monday in the wake of the departing/weakening frontal boundary. This respite from all the heat of late will be a short one as readings roll back into the low to mid-90s on Tuesday. There is another front which looks to be a little more stout heading our way next Wednesday so the rain and storm chances could be a little better. This is good news since it may be surprising that most locations are a few inches behind of rain over the last 30 days and while the “Drought Monitor” currently shows no issues around the commonwealth, we could easily fall into the abnormally dry category soon unless we see some widespread rain.
ABC 36 HOUR FORECAST
THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, warm and muggy. Lows in the low-70s.
FRIDAY: More sunshine, hot and humid. Highs in the mid-90s.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Fair skies and warm. Lows in the low-70s.
