Refreshing change arrives with cooler, less humid weather

Lingering Showers Give Way to More Sunshine

We started Tuesday with some lingering showers and thunderstorms pushing through portions of southeastern Kentucky, along with some leftover cloud cover across parts of the region. Those showers have gradually moved out, and we are beginning to see more sunshine return as we head through the afternoon.

It will still feel warm and very muggy for much of the day, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the upper 80s and lower 90s across much of Central and Eastern Kentucky.

A cold front will continue pushing southeast through the area this afternoon. As it moves through, an isolated shower or thunderstorm cannot be completely ruled out, especially near and east of the Interstate 75 corridor. However, most communities will stay dry.

One More Muggy Afternoon Before Drier Air Arrives

Even though the cold front is moving through today, we will not immediately feel a major temperature drop this afternoon. Instead, the bigger change will come in the humidity.

Dew points will remain elevated through much of Tuesday, keeping conditions uncomfortable outside. Farther west and southwest, where temperatures may reach the lower 90s, heat index values could still approach 105 to 110 degrees.

Once the front clears the area later today, much drier air will begin filtering into Kentucky from the north.

Cooler and More Comfortable Tonight

You will really notice the change by tonight.

Skies will become mostly clear as high pressure begins building into the Ohio Valley. Temperatures will fall into the low to mid-60s, while dew points continue dropping.

That means Tuesday night will feel noticeably more comfortable compared to the warm and muggy nights we have experienced recently.

Beautiful Weather Returns Wednesday

Wednesday is shaping up to be a fantastic day across the Bluegrass.

High pressure will settle over the region, bringing lots of sunshine, lower humidity and slightly cooler temperatures. Afternoon highs will generally reach the low to mid-80s, which is below what we have experienced over the past several days.

The lower humidity will make an even bigger difference, creating much more comfortable conditions if you plan to spend time outdoors.

Pleasant Weather Continues Through Friday

The nice stretch continues through the remainder of the workweek.

Thursday and Friday will feature mostly sunny skies with afternoon highs gradually climbing back into the mid and upper 80s. Overnight lows will remain comfortable in the low to mid-60s.

Humidity levels will also remain much lower, making the second half of the week one of the more pleasant stretches we’ve seen recently.

Rain Chances Return for the First Weekend of August

Changes begin arriving as we head toward the first weekend of August.

A slow-moving upper-level disturbance is expected to approach from the northwest Friday night into the weekend. This will bring increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday.

Cloud cover and rain chances should also keep temperatures cooler than normal for early August, so highs could struggle to reach the levels we will see late this week.

There are still details to work out regarding the exact timing and coverage of the rain, but confidence is increasing that the weekend will be more unsettled than the dry stretch we have ahead through Friday.

ABC 36 Storm Team 36-Hour Forecast

Tuesday: Lingering morning showers gradually move out with increasing sunshine. Warm and humid with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. An isolated afternoon shower or thunderstorm is possible as the cold front moves through.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, cooler and much less humid. Overnight lows fall into the low to mid-60s.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, pleasant and noticeably less humid. Highs reach the low to mid-80s.