The streak of 100+ degree days ended at four as Monday’s highs “only” reached 97 (which was still hot enough to tie a record). The heat wave, though, continues for the rest of the week as highs will settle in the 90s each and every day through the weekend. The only relief we could see will be in the form of scattered diurnal showers and storms today, tomorrow and (a smaller chance) Thursday. Conditions remain hot even though the upper level ridge flattened and shifted slightly to our west. This set-up puts Kentucky on the outer periphery of the ridge (northwest flow aloft) allowing mid-level waves to swing on through the region. With a little heat to the day, expect isolated to scattered afternoon showers/storms from today through Thursday. While any bit of rainfall is needed, some of these slow-moving storms may bring bouts of heavy rain, small hail, and strong gusts.

The ridge is likely to shift westward again starting late Thursday through Saturday. It looks to stretch from the Central Plains into the Ohio Valley. This should dry us out by week’s end into parts of the weekend. The extended models are hinting at a cold front arriving sometime late weekend/early next week (some disagreement on timing between the GFS and European). Either way, it might be the thing we need to 1) bring some widespread rain and 2) bring some cooler, more seasonal temperatures our way. It’s still a long ways out so expect some changes to the extended forecast. Until then, maybe the scattered storms today could help out a little bit.

Have a pleasant Tuesday.

WKYT Meteorologist
Todd Borek