Scattered thunderstorms return to Kentucky as heat and humidity continue

Another Warm and Sunny Start Across Kentucky

It’s another beautiful start to the day across central Kentucky with plenty of sunshine helping kick off Thursday morning. While the day begins quiet, temperatures are already climbing quickly, and we’ll once again be dealing with warm and humid conditions as we head into the afternoon.

Expect highs to reach the upper 80s to lower 90s today under a mix of sunshine and developing clouds. Humidity will remain elevated, pushing heat index values into the upper 90s and lower 100s this afternoon. If you’re spending time outdoors, be sure to stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade or air conditioning, and avoid prolonged strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day.

Scattered Storms Return This Afternoon and Evening

Unlike the past couple of days, today’s rain chances are a bit higher.

As a weak cold front approaches from the north, it will provide enough lift for scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop during the afternoon and evening. While it won’t be a washout and many communities will stay dry, any storms that do develop could produce torrential downpours, frequent lightning, and isolated gusty winds.

The atmosphere will contain plenty of moisture, and with very light steering winds, storms will move slowly. That means localized rainfall totals of more than one inch are possible in a short amount of time, which could lead to brief ponding on roads or localized flooding in areas that experience repeated heavy rainfall.

Most of the showers and storms will gradually weaken after sunset as daytime heating fades.

Warm and Muggy Tonight

Once any evening storms come to an end, skies will remain partly to mostly cloudy overnight.

Temperatures will only fall into the low 70s, making for another warm and muggy July night. The lingering humidity will set the stage for another active afternoon on Friday.

Friday Brings Even Higher Rain Chances

Friday looks to be the most active day we’ve seen so far this week.

The weak frontal boundary is expected to stall across northern Kentucky while deep tropical moisture remains in place. That combination will lead to scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms developing Friday afternoon and evening.

Like today, storms will be slow-moving and capable of producing torrential rainfall, frequent lightning, and localized gusty winds. With moisture levels increasing even more by Friday, the risk for localized flooding also goes up, especially where storms repeatedly move over the same locations.

Even with the increasing cloud cover and rain chances, temperatures will still climb into the upper 80s, while heat index values remain close to 100 degrees.

Wettest Stretch Arrives This Weekend

Rain chances continue into the weekend as the slow-moving weather pattern remains in place.

Both Saturday and Sunday will feature additional rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms as abundant moisture lingers across the Ohio Valley. Storms will continue to move slowly, allowing for locally heavy rainfall and isolated flooding concerns where repeated storms occur.

Outside of the rain, temperatures will remain seasonably warm with highs generally in the upper 80s to lower 90s, while humidity stays high.

Looking ahead to early next week, a cold front is expected to move through the region, bringing a welcome break from the active weather. Monday currently looks drier before another front brings additional shower and thunderstorm chances on Tuesday. Behind that system, cooler and less humid air may arrive by the middle of next week, with highs falling back into the low to mid-80s.

ABC 36 Storm Team 36-Hour Forecast

Thursday: Warm, humid, and partly sunny. Scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms develop. Highs reach the upper 80s to lower 90s, with heat index values in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees.

Thursday Night: Partly to mostly cloudy with any evening storms gradually coming to an end. Warm and muggy overnight with lows in the low 70s.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, warm, and humid. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms develop during the afternoon and evening. Some storms will produce torrential rainfall, frequent lightning, localized gusty winds, and localized flooding. Highs reach the upper 80s, with heat index values near 100 degrees.