Quick break from the daily storm chances
Afternoon highs head back into the low 90s with higher heat indices
After weeks of unsettled weather and frequent bouts of heavy rain, Tuesday finally brought a much-needed break across central and eastern Kentucky. High pressure sitting to our northeast allowed for a light east to northeast breeze, ushering in slightly drier air. This helped drop humidity to more manageable levels, making it feel a bit more comfortable despite typical late-July heat. Morning clouds thinned out to allow for a good deal of afternoon sunshine, which helped push temperatures into the upper 80s—right around normal for this time of year. It was a welcome change after the active weather pattern that’s dominated much of July.
Hotter Days Ahead
The quiet weather pattern will hold through midweek, but you’ll notice the heat and humidity ramping back up. Wednesday and Thursday will be classic midsummer days, with plenty of sunshine and highs climbing into the low 90s. While temperatures themselves aren’t unusual for late July, humidity levels will creep back up, pushing heat index values close to 100 degrees each afternoon. If you’re working or spending time outside, especially during the hottest part of the day, be sure to take it slow, drink plenty of water, and use sunscreen to protect yourself. Overnight lows will stay muggy as well, only dipping into the upper 60s and low 70s, offering little relief from the heat.
A stray pop-up shower or thunderstorm can’t be completely ruled out Thursday afternoon, but any activity that does form will be very isolated. Most of us will stay dry as an upper-level ridge of high pressure keeps the atmosphere mostly stable.
Storm Chances Increase Late Week into the Weekend
By Friday, that upper-level ridge begins to weaken as some energy slides in from the north, allowing for a slightly better chance of scattered storms. These won’t be widespread, but a few storms could bring brief heavy downpours and gusty winds. As we move into the weekend, a familiar late-July setup takes shape once again—a slow-moving boundary stalls across the Ohio Valley, interacting with hot and humid air. This will bring occasional chances for thunderstorms on both Saturday and Sunday, but just like past weekends, it won’t be a total washout. Outdoor plans should still be fine, but you’ll want to keep the rain gear close by just in case. Temperatures will remain on the hot side, with highs holding in the low 90s and humidity keeping heat index values near 100 at times.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear and pleasant. Lows in the mid-60s. Wind: NE 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny and heating up. Highs in the low-90s. Wind: SE 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Fair skies, warm and muggy. Lows in the low-70s. Wind: SE 5 mph.
