Boom! A stormy 4th of July, with lots of heavy rain and high temperatures, was headed our way

According to the National Weather Service, severe storms are possible on July 4 in some areas of central Kentucky.

Scattered storms are expected to begin Wednesday afternoon and last through Friday. The NWS said they are stronger storms that could produce isolated damaging winds, torrential rain and intense lightning.

Meteorologists said a hot, humid air mass will be in place for July 4. Increasing cloud cover and a chance of rain will help keep high temperatures somewhat in check.

According to the NWS, the chance of rain is 50% on Wednesday night and 90% on July 4.

Meteorologists say temperatures could reach 88 degrees on Thursday with a 90% chance of precipitation, meteorologists say. Showers and thunderstorms are likely in the evening, with temperatures expected to drop to around 73 degrees.

The chance of storms remains on Friday, with temperatures expected to reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the NWS said.

Most of Kentucky is included in the NWS’s severe weather forecast for Thursday, with northwestern parts of the state at low risk for severe weather. The low risk zone means that organized severe thunderstorms of varying intensity are expected, meteorologists said.

According to the NWS, the central and western parts of the state are at minimal risk for severe weather, meaning severe storms with limited organization and duration.

Meteorologists say all of Kentucky is in the “marginal risk” category for Friday’s extreme weather.

Heat rises to high levels again

After a cooler day on Monday, temperatures are expected to climb back to highs on Tuesday heading into July 4. The high for Tuesday is expected to reach 90 degrees, according to the NWS.

On Wednesday, the forecast high is 92 degrees, while the forecast low that evening is 74 degrees. The chance of showers and thunderstorms increases to 50% after 8:00 PM with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter inch.