Heat Holds On, But Relief is in Sight by Midweek

Another Round of 90s and Triple-Digit Heat Indices Expected Before a Late-Week Cool Down

The Heat and Humidity Keep Rolling

The late July heat and humidity rolled right along Saturday afternoon across Central and Eastern Kentucky, and it doesn’t look to be letting up anytime soon. With a strong upper-level ridge overhead, we had plenty of sunshine once again, allowing temperatures to soar into the low and mid-90s. Add in a light but steady southwest breeze pulling in muggy air, and heat index values climbed into the triple digits for many locations—some areas west of Lexington even felt closer to 105 degrees. This stagnant, classic midsummer pattern is going to stick around through the end of the weekend and into early next week. A Heat Advisory is in effect from noon Monday through 8 PM Wednesday for areas surrounding and West of Lexington.

Another Hot and Humid Day to Wrap Up the Weekend

Sunday will bring more of the same with highs once again topping out in the low to mid-90s. The humidity stays high, which will push “feels-like” temperatures back into that 100-105° range, especially west of I-65. A weak stalled-out boundary sitting just to our north will be the focal point for more organized storms, but we could still see a few scattered pop-ups in the afternoon and early evening. Most of us will stay dry, but if you have outdoor plans, keep an eye on the sky and pack some rain gear just in case.

And with all the outdoor events going on across the area, you’ll want to take precautions against the heat—hydrate frequently, wear light-colored clothing, and take plenty of breaks in the shade when possible.

Heat Sticks Around Early Next Week

The upper ridge will strengthen over the Ohio Valley heading into early next week, which means not only will storm chances stay very limited, but temperatures could crank up a little higher. Afternoon highs will stay in the low to mid-90s, and with muggy air locked in place, heat index values could climb well over 100 degrees for some locations. Even overnight lows will offer little relief, staying in the mid to upper 70s for many areas, with urban spots closer to 80 degrees.

Relief on the Way by Midweek

The good news? We’re watching a stronger cold front set to push through the Ohio Valley by the middle of next week. This will finally bring better storm chances on Wednesday, followed by a noticeable change in our weather pattern. Once that front slides through, humidity levels should drop and temperatures will finally back down into the upper 80s as we kick off August—something to look forward to after this long stretch of oppressive heat.