Scorching Heat Gives Way to Dramatic Cooldown as August Approaches

Somerset, Kentucky. (SPCA) - Today could go down as the hottest day of the summer across Kentucky—just before a major pattern shift brings a refreshing cooldown to kick off August. Afternoon highs are expected to soar between 90 and 95 degrees across much of central and eastern Kentucky, with humidity pushing the heat index to a sweltering 100 to 105. Western Kentucky will feel even more extreme, with “feels-like” temperatures surpassing 110 degrees, continuing a trend of intense heat that has gripped the region over the past week. Isolated thunderstorms may develop during the daytime, with a slightly better chance for activity in southeastern areas. By this evening, forecasters are keeping a close eye on storms firing to our northwest—some of which may track into the region and could turn intense or even severe.

A cold front arrives Thursday, bringing with it rounds of showers and storms, some potentially heavy. But behind that front comes a breath of fresh air: temperatures will drop sharply, ushering in much cooler-than-normal conditions as August begins. While average highs for this time of year typically hover near 90°F, many locations on Friday may struggle to climb out of the 70s. By Saturday morning, some spots could see morning lows dipping into the 50s—a rare and welcome break from the summer heat.

Looking ahead, the cooler-than-average trend is expected to continue through the weekend and into much of next week, with the chance for scattered showers and storms gradually returning. Stay weather-aware today and enjoy the refreshing change that’s just around the corner.

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