Daily summer storms continue across Kentucky as better rain chances arrive this weekend

Fog and Clouds Give Way to Another Warm Afternoon

It was a quiet start to the day across much of central Kentucky, although many locations woke up to areas of low clouds and patchy fog. Those clouds and areas of fog have since lifted, allowing temperatures to warm quickly through the morning.

Now, attention turns to the development of scattered showers and thunderstorms, with the first storms already beginning to pop up across parts of Northern Kentucky. As we move through the afternoon and evening, additional isolated showers and storms are expected to develop across much of the viewing area as daytime heating combines with a warm, humid air mass.

Even with the rain chances, temperatures will still climb into the mid to upper 80s this afternoon, making for another typical summer day across the Bluegrass.

Typical Summer Storm Pattern Continues

The weather pattern we’ve settled into is one that’s common this time of year. Each afternoon, sunshine and warm temperatures provide enough energy for isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop. Once the sun sets and daytime heating fades, those storms quickly lose their energy and dissipate.

That means many neighborhoods will stay completely dry, while others could briefly experience heavy downpours, lightning, and gusty winds before skies quiet down again this evening.

While widespread severe weather is not expected, the atmosphere remains very moist. Dew points in the low to mid 70s and abundant moisture in the atmosphere will allow any storm that develops to produce heavy rainfall in a short amount of time. Because steering winds remain weak, storms will move slowly, increasing the potential for localized flooding if one lingers over the same location.

For that reason, a Flood Watch has been issued for the Bluegrass and West until 2 AM Sunday for the risk that we could see some flash flooding over the next few days.

Warm and Humid Weather Sticks Around

Not much changes over the next couple of days. Warm, humid air will remain firmly in place, with afternoon highs continuing in the mid to upper 80s through the remainder of the work week.

Each afternoon and evening will feature another opportunity for isolated showers and thunderstorms. The overall severe weather threat remains low thanks to weak upper-level winds, but any storm will still be capable of producing frequent lightning, brief gusty winds, and locally heavy rainfall.

Overnight, any remaining showers will fade after sunset, leaving behind mostly quiet conditions.

Better Rain Chances Arrive Late This Week

Rain coverage is expected to increase as we head toward the end of the work week.

A cold front approaching the Ohio Valley Thursday night into Friday will provide a much stronger focus for showers and thunderstorms. Unlike the isolated, hit-or-miss storms we’ve seen recently, this system should bring more widespread rainfall Friday into Saturday.

Because the atmosphere will remain very moisture-rich, locally heavy rainfall will once again be possible, and some locations could experience localized flooding where storms repeatedly move over the same areas.

Drier Weather Returns Next Week

The good news is that this unsettled weather pattern isn’t expected to last forever.

Once the cold front pushes south of Kentucky this weekend, high pressure is expected to build into the region early next week. That should bring decreasing rain chances, more sunshine, and slightly warmer temperatures, with highs returning to around 90 degrees while humidity gradually begins to ease.

ABC 36 Storm Team 36-Hour Forecast

Wednesday: Partly sunny, warm, and humid with afternoon highs in the mid to upper 80s. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon and evening. Any storm could produce heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, gusty winds, and localized flooding before weakening after sunset.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy early with any lingering showers and storms ending during the evening. Patchy fog may develop overnight where rainfall occurred. Lows fall into the upper 60s and low 70s.

Thursday: Another warm and humid summer day with a mix of sun and clouds. Afternoon highs return to the mid to upper 80s. Isolated to scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms develop once again, with locally heavy rain and lightning possible. Most storms will diminish after sunset.