Hot and very humid conditions set to fuel more pop-up showers and storms

After a dry start to Friday, pop-up showers and storms return this afternoon

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – It’s a familiar setup across central and eastern Kentucky this Friday—hot, humid, and unsettled. Afternoon highs will climb into the low to mid 90s, but it will feel more like 100 to 105 once you factor in the oppressive humidity. The Heat Advisory remains in effect through this evening due to this continued stretch of dangerous heat.

As we’ve seen the last few days, this combination of heat and humidity will once again help to fuel pop-up storms this afternoon and evening. While not everyone will see rain, isolated to scattered thunderstorms will develop, especially during the peak heating hours. A few of these storms—particularly south and east of Lexington—could become strong, producing localized damaging wind gusts and torrential rainfall.

These storms will be hit-or-miss, and many communities will stay dry. That said, if you’re outdoors later today, keep an eye to the sky and be ready to seek shelter if storms roll through your area. Storms will taper off after sunset, and we’ll settle into another warm and muggy overnight with lows in the low to mid 70s.

Looking Ahead

We’re not expecting a washout this weekend, but scattered showers and storms will remain in the picture for both Saturday and Sunday, especially during the afternoon hours. Daytime highs will back off just a few degrees, but it’ll still be steamy out there with humidity levels remaining very high.

A more organized system approaches early next week, bringing higher rain and storm chances by Monday into Tuesday. That front will also help to push out the worst of the humidity by Wednesday and Thursday, finally giving us a break from the tropical air mass we’ve been stuck in for days.

Make sure to stay hydrated, take frequent breaks if you’re working outdoors, and keep storm safety in mind if you’re out and about this weekend.