Hot and Humid Weather Leading up to the Solar Eclipse

The Headline

The headline of this forecast is most certainly the Solar Eclipse on Monday afternoon, and the awesomeness that will surround that. I am legitimately excited, which is something I couldn’t have said one month ago.

The path through Kentucky! h/t https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/kentucky/

And you know what? The forecast is looking good heading into the Eclipse!

I am apart of the team that forecasts for WKU’s White Squirrel Weather, and we have been watching the models for several days now, trending everything to get a grip on what we are expecting.

*Live look at the team forecasting together*
h/t giphy.com

So, what are we expecting? Well for one thing, it is looking hot over the next few days. A ridge looks to build in through Monday afternoon, which is good for keeping the showers and storms at bay.

The NAM, along with every other model, is showing a ridge building in through Monday after a weak shortwave passes today. The Eclipse path is superimposed over the ridge. h/t pivotalweather.com

However, this will lead to a stretch of hotter conditions than we have had since the end of July. We are looking at temps 90-93 each of the next few days, and dewpoints look to gradually rise into the lower 70s by Monday afternoon.

Anticipate partly cloudy skies through Monday afternoon, and you know what that means…fantastic eclipse viewing!

Rain chances arrive by Tuesday with what looks to be a potent trough. This should lead to a major cool down for the second half of the week.

The Forecast

Today: Partly cloudy and hot. Highs around 90°F. Overnight, look for mostly clear skies, with lows around 70°F.

Tomorrow: Partly cloudy and hot, again. Highs around 92°F. Overnight: Mostly clear skies, with lows around 71°F.

Eclipse Day!: Partly cloudy, with highs around 92°F. Solar Eclipse viewing looks good! Overnight, expect partly cloudy skies, with lows around 73°F.

The Decisions

Definitely hit the pools this weekend! This could be one of the last summer-like weekends of the year, so get out and enjoy it! Be sure to lather up on the sunscreen when outside.

On Monday, a couple of things you need to be aware of. One, PLEASE wear the Eclipse Glasses, and even with them on, don’t look at the sun for long stretches of time. I know that seems simple, but this is the sun we are dealing with.

I thought this was a good graphic by NASA. You need to have the glasses on until the total eclipse commences, and then you can take them off for the 1-2 minutes. h/t giphy.com

Two, it is gonna be hot on Monday, especially. The heat index looks to be in the 95-98°F range, creating uncomfortable conditions outside at best. Best sure to drink plenty of water while watching the Solar Eclipse!

Well, thats all folks!

Have an awesome day. I’ll be back forecasting again tomorrow morning, and we’ll have the absolute latest on the Solar Eclipse. Be sure to follow @wxornotBG on Twitter, and Landon Hampton on Facebook for the latest info! Also: go check out @WKUweather on Twitter. Doing some awesome stuff for the Eclipse!