Summer Storm Cycle Rolls On This Weekend—Relief Arrives Soon

Storm chances stick around through the weekend before a cold front brings less humid, more comfortable weather by midweek.

Less Heat, But Storms Still Around
After a full week of oppressive heat and high humidity, things are finally beginning to ease a bit across central and eastern Kentucky. That big ridge of high pressure responsible for our recent heat wave is starting to weaken and slide west. What that means for us is slightly lower temps—afternoon highs on Saturday will top out in the upper 80s to around 90°, and while still muggy, heat index values should stay just below the 100° mark.

The cooler air won’t arrive alone, though—scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected again this afternoon and evening. These storms won’t be widespread, but they’ll be slow movers, so any that do form could produce localized heavy rain, gusty winds, and even minor flooding in spots. The best time for storm development will be from mid-afternoon through early evening.

Staying Unsettled to End the Weekend
Sunday keeps us in that same summer rhythm: warm, muggy, and stormy at times. Expect a mix of sunshine and clouds, with scattered storms bubbling up during peak heating, especially in the afternoon. Highs will again climb into the upper 80s to around 90°, and the humidity will make it feel sticky. You don’t need to cancel any outdoor plans, but have the rain gear nearby just in case—and don’t forget the sunscreen and water, especially if you’ll be outdoors for a while.

Cold Front Brings a Break from the Mugginess
By Tuesday, a cold front will sweep through the Ohio Valley, bringing a round of scattered showers and storms. More importantly, behind that front comes some noticeably less humid air—a real treat after what we’ve just been through. While afternoon highs will stay in the upper 80s, dewpoints will drop into the low to mid 60s, making it feel much more comfortable starting Wednesday.

That drier trend should stick around through Thursday, and even into Friday’s Fourth of July holiday, though isolated pop-up storms can’t be completely ruled out. Still, the bulk of the region should stay dry.