Good Wednesday everyone and welcome to an awesome weather day across Kentucky. This is likely to be one of the better days of the entire Summer as we get in on pleasant temps and plenty of sunshine. Be sure to enjoy it as some heat is poised to make a run at us over the holiday weekend.

We are coming off a very stormy couple of weeks here in the bluegrass state that featured many rounds of heavy rain producing thunderstorms. These storms put down a lot of water in many areas. Take a look at just how much above normal some areas are in rainfall over the past 14 days…



If we take you back from day one of 2011, the numbers are even greater. Much of the state is more than a foot above normal in rainfall for the year with some areas sitting at 20″+…



This has been an impressive year in terms of rainfall and thunderstorm action. That stormy pattern will take a break for a little while as we get in on a drier pattern over the next week or so. It all gets started today as we have a winner of a Wednesday in store. High temps will range from the upper 70s to low 80s…

Current Temps



The nice weather of today will carry over into Thursday as our temps begin the slow climb toward a hot holiday weekend. Readings in the middle and upper 80s will be with us as we hang on to the sunshine.

Friday kicks of the 4th of July weekend and we will usher in some very steamy air. Highs will be near 90 Friday then into the low 90s over the weekend. Humidity levels will increase during this time making for a case of the muggies.

A front is expected to drop in from the northwest late Sunday or the 4th and touch off some showers and thunderstorms. It is this front that should kick the heat back to the south and southwest once again. Sound familiar?

Take a look at the 850 temp departure map for the next 5 days then compare it to the following 5 day period…



That is from the GFS Ensemble average and shows the core of the heat heading west with a more normal brand of air moving back in here.

That’s all the fun and games you get for now. Have a great Wednesday and take care.