Hot and humid weather continues into the late week

Still Hot and Sticky Across the Region
The early summer heat wave refused to let up on Wednesday as highs once again soared into the low to mid-90s across Central and Eastern Kentucky. Add in dew points well into the 70s, and it felt like 100 to 105 degrees at times. While a few lucky folks saw a brief pop-up storm for some momentary cooling, the overall weather pattern remains hot, humid, and stagnant. A Heat Advisory remains in effect through this evening due to the prolonged stretch of dangerous heat.

Thursday Brings Slightly Better Storm Chances
There’s a subtle change on the horizon as the dominant ridge of high pressure starts to weaken and shift westward. That’s good news, because it should open the door for a few more scattered storms to develop during the afternoon hours on Thursday. These could bring locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and lightning, but won’t be widespread enough to count on for much relief. Afternoon highs will still climb to around 90–92 degrees, with heat index values hovering near 100 once again—so don’t stash the sunscreen or water bottles just yet. A Heat Advisory has been extended until 8pm Thursday evening due to the early summer heat wave expected to persistent into the late week.

Modest Relief Heading Into the Weekend
By the weekend, the pattern begins to ease just a bit. Highs will dip slightly to the upper 80s to around 90, and while the humidity will still be elevated, the heat index values should stay just below triple digits for many. The chance for isolated to scattered thunderstorms increases as well, especially during the afternoon hours. No need to cancel outdoor plans, but it’s a good idea to keep an umbrella handy and check radar before heading out. Sunshine should still dominate outside of any storm activity.

Cooler, More Comfortable Air Next Week?
Looking ahead to early next week, a cold front is expected to drop in from the northwest, finally breaking down the heat ridge and ushering in a noticeably more comfortable air mass. Highs are expected to drop into the mid to upper 80s by Tuesday and Wednesday with lower humidity, making it feel much more pleasant as we head into early July.