Enjoy the Cool Because Heat is Coming

If you were to check the monthly almanac for July up to this date, it would confirm what many of us have probably been thinking: this month has been a roller coaster ride in terms of temperatures. We're in the midst of a third cool shot this July. You may recall the very pleasant weather that rolled around just in time for Independence Day, and then there was a 5-day stretch or so last week of unseasonably cool temperatures and low humidity. Intermingled with all of these have been short spikes of typical July weather, with highs near 90 and humidity approaching steamy levels. And here we are again in another cool spell. Everyone in south-central Kentucky last night dipped into the 60s, with the exception of Bowling Green which stayed at 70°. A few locations northwest of our area came close to tying record lows.

Early Friday morning temperature anomaly. Notice how much of the Midwest will be well below average temperatures.

This wild ride of July continues into the near future. Today we made it into the 80s with comfortable dewpoints. You may want a jacket if you'll be out late tonight, as lows are forecast to dip even lower. Some areas may touch 60°. The mix of sun and clouds today will gradually thin out overnight, leading to mainly clear skies tomorrow. It will be slightly warmer too, with highs in the mid 80s, but still pleasant. Ol' July will be back to its tricks again by the weekend, though. A low pressure system will work out of the central Plains into the upper Great Lakes and force our dome of high pressure out in the process. It will be dragging a large regime of Gulf heat and humidity with it. This warm front will move through early Saturday, and we may see temperatures in the low to mid 90s for the weekend, plus the sticky air.

We are monitoring the chance for storms during the weekend as well. As we sit in the warm sector, the atmosphere should become increasingly unstable. If an upper-level trigger is present, a complex of strong to severe storms may develop over the Central Mississippi Valley and move east. At this time, though, it appears any severe risk will stay north of the Ohio River. Storms of a weaker variety may impact us late Saturday, followed by another round on Sunday. This is subject to change, so be sure to check back with the WKU Storm Team for the latest developments.

Tonight: Partly cloudy to mostly clear skies with north winds becoming calm. Low near 61°.
Friday: Mostly sunny and slightly warmer. A high of 85°. Light winds.
Friday night: Partly cloudy with a light wind from the south. Low around 66°.

Thanks for reading!
- Caleb Chevalier