A few isolated storm chances Friday as the warm air sticks around

It was another dandy day of weather across Central and Eastern Kentucky Thursday as high pressure continued to dominate  here in the Ohio Valley. With the high to our east that opened the door for some slightly warmer air as our temperatures have climbed a few degrees each day since early in the week. With abundant sunshine and a light south flow, afternoon highs snuck into the mid to upper 80s and you could feel the humidity creeping up every so slightly as well. This will be a prelude of the overall pattern that will kick in next week as we close out the spring season.

A cold front will drop south into the Ohio Valley on Friday but it should do so in a weakened state. Couple that with the lack of any significant moisture and our overall storm chances are pretty low-end as we close out the week. With temperatures headed back into the upper 80s and enjoy lift from the front, a few isolated storms should pop through the afternoon hours. Given the set-up any of these storms could produce a few locally heavy downpours and gusty winds but those should be pretty scattered at best. Once we lose the afternoon warmth and the front moves eastward, the storm chances should wind down with drier air sliding in.

We are looking at a very nice start to Father’s Day weekend around the area as the departing front will usher in a re-enforcing shot of drier air so it should be pretty ideal for any outdoor activities going on Saturday. Highs will top out in the mid-80s with comfortable humidity levels sop enjoy that. The big ridge of high pressure and heat we’ve talked about the last few days will really begin to kick in on Father’s Day so look for a nice jump in temperatures into the “hot zone” as afternoon highs sneak into the low-90s. Humidity levels will creep up slightly as well so take it easy during the hottest part of the day.

The final few days of the spring season early next week will ironically feel more like the heart of summer as the heat ridge shifts to the east coast putting us in the favored area for hot and humid conditions. The return flow out of the southwest should throw some decent moisture up from the Gulf so expect highs in the low 90s beginning Monday and continuing through the “Juneteenth” holiday Wednesday and for the official arrival of the summer season late next Thursday afternoon. Heat indices may become a factor next week as we get acclimated to the summer heat and a few isolated storms will be on the table each afternoon and into the early evening hours before diminishing after sunset.

ABC 36 HOUR FORECAST
THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, clouds late. Lows in the mid-60s.
FRIDAY: Warm with isolated storms. Highs in the upper-80s.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clearing out and pleasant. Lows in the low-60s.