Friday night looks like another warm and humid night for high school football across Kentucky. Temperatures will still be running well above comfortable football weather at kickoff, especially across western and central parts of the state. Most games should stay dry, but a few showers or thunderstorms could create problems in isolated areas.

Western Kentucky: Expect a warm and muggy start, with temperatures in the upper 80s around kickoff. Readings will slowly fall through the 80s during the evening. Most games should stay dry, although an isolated storm cannot be completely ruled out.

Central Kentucky: It will be hot and humid heading into kickoff, with temperatures mainly in the mid- to upper 80s. By the fourth quarter, temperatures should begin dropping toward the upper 70s and lower 80s. Rain chances appear low overall, but teams should keep an eye on the sky.

Eastern Kentucky: A warm and humid evening is expected, with temperatures generally in the low to mid-80s at kickoff and falling into the 70s later in the game. A few showers or thunderstorms could be around, particularly earlier in the evening.

Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati: Expect warm and humid conditions for Friday night football. Temperatures should be in the 80s at kickoff before gradually cooling through the evening. Most locations should have a good night for football, with only a small chance of an isolated shower or thunderstorm.

Louisville: Another hot start is expected, with temperatures near the upper 80s at kickoff. It will remain warm well into the evening, with temperatures slowly falling through the 80s.

Richmond/Lexington: Expect a warm and humid start to the night, with temperatures in the mid- to upper 80s around kickoff. Conditions should gradually become more comfortable later in the game as temperatures fall toward the upper 70s.

The biggest concern will be the heat and humidity during warmups and the first half. Players and fans should stay hydrated and be prepared for another warm September football night.

Friday night football across Kentucky is looking warm and humid, but overall the weather should be fairly cooperative for most games.

A weak weather system is expected to bring showers to parts of the state earlier in the day, especially across eastern Kentucky. Conditions should gradually improve from west to east during the afternoon and evening, although eastern Kentucky could hold onto clouds and showers longer.

Western Kentucky: Expect the best football weather by Friday evening. Any morning rain should be long gone, leaving a warm and humid night with temperatures generally in the 80s at kickoff and slowly falling later in the game.

Central Kentucky: A warm and humid evening is expected. Skies should be improving by kickoff, with temperatures mainly in the low to mid-80s. Most games should be dry, although a lingering shower cannot be completely ruled out.

Louisville: Look for improving conditions Friday evening after any earlier showers. Temperatures should be in the mid-80s around kickoff and remain warm through much of the game.

Lexington/Richmond: Friday could begin with showers and plenty of humidity, but conditions are expected to improve later in the day. Temperatures should be in the lower 80s around kickoff, with a small chance that a lingering shower could still affect the game.

Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati: Expect a warm and humid night under mostly cloudy to partly cloudy skies. Temperatures should be in the lower to mid-80s at kickoff and fall into the 70s later in the evening.

Eastern Kentucky: This will be the area to watch most closely. Showers could linger longer into the day and possibly into the evening in some locations. Temperatures should generally be in the upper 70s to lower 80s around kickoff.

Statewide rain chance: Around 20-30% during the Friday evening football hours, with the highest chances across eastern Kentucky.

The biggest weather story will be the heat heading into the evening. Afternoon temperatures will climb into the mid and upper 90s, and it will still be very warm when teams take the field.

HEAT ALERTS

EXTREME HEAT WARNING: Parts of Western Kentucky

HEAT ADVISORIES: Portions of Western Kentucky

Even outside of official heat alerts, the combination of high temperatures and humidity will make Friday afternoon and early evening uncomfortable. Players, coaches, band members, and fans should take extra precautions during practices, warmups, and pregame activities.

WESTERN KENTUCKY

Western Kentucky will experience some of the hottest weather in the state, with temperatures climbing into the upper 90s and possibly approaching 100 degrees. Temperatures will slowly fall after sunset, but kickoff temperatures will likely remain in the 80s. Football Forecast: Very hot early, remaining warm and humid throughout the game.

CENTRAL KENTUCKY

Another hot day is expected across Central Kentucky, with afternoon temperatures reaching the mid to upper 90s. By kickoff, temperatures should still be in the mid to upper 80s, gradually falling later in the evening. An isolated shower or thunderstorm is possible, but most games should remain dry. Football Forecast: Hot and humid at kickoff, gradually becoming more comfortable.

LOUISVILLE AREA

Expect another very hot afternoon, with temperatures climbing into the upper 90s. Friday night games will begin warm and humid, with temperatures remaining in the 80s for much of the evening. Football Forecast: Very warm start with slow improvement after sunset.

SOUTH-CENTRAL KENTUCKY

Bowling Green and surrounding areas

The heat will remain intense Friday afternoon, with temperatures climbing well into the 90s. Kickoff temperatures should still be in the mid to upper 80s, making the first half especially warm and uncomfortable.

EASTERN KENTUCKY

Eastern Kentucky will also be warm and humid, although temperatures should be slightly lower than locations farther west.

Expect temperatures in the 80s at kickoff, falling into the 70s later in the evening.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY / CINCINNATI

Northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati area will see a warm and humid start to Friday night football. Temperatures should be in the 80s around kickoff before slowly falling later in the evening. Most games should stay dry.

 

I'm also watching a warm front that may be approaching Kentucky on Friday. Storm coverage should be limited, but an isolated storm could develop near the boundary late in the afternoon or evening. The combination of extreme heat, 70-degree-plus dewpoints, and strong instability will create an environment capable of supporting large hail and damaging wind gusts if a storm develops.

Hot and humid conditions will continue Friday with partly sunny skies. Temperatures will climb well into the 90s, with western Kentucky potentially approaching 100 degrees. Areas farther north and east, including Cincinnati, should remain in the lower 90s. A warm and unstable atmosphere will develop during the afternoon. Scattered thunderstorms are possible, mainly during the afternoon and evening, but storms should be hit-or-miss rather than widespread. Most locations will remain dry.

The environment can produce a strong to locally severe storm, with damaging wind gusts and large hail as the primary threats. The overall severe-weather threat remains low because of the limited storm coverage and weak upper-level support.

In Louisville, due to Fridays heat and humidity, there will definitely be games moved back to an 8 pm or later kick off.

Friday night will be hot and humid across Kentucky and the Cincinnati area, with most high school football games expected to stay dry. However, there will be enough instability for an isolated thunderstorm, and any storm that develops could become strong.

Western Kentucky

Hot and humid conditions will continue into the evening, with temperatures generally in the upper 80s around kickoff. Most areas should stay dry, but an isolated thunderstorm could bring lightning, strong winds, and heavy rain.

Central Kentucky

Expect a hot and muggy evening, with temperatures in the upper 80s around kickoff and only slowly falling during the game. Most games should remain dry, although an isolated storm cannot be ruled out.

Eastern Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky will be warm and humid Friday evening, with temperatures mainly in the mid to upper 80s at kickoff. Thunderstorms should remain isolated, but any storm that develops could produce strong winds, hail, and frequent lightning.

Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati

Northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati area will also be hot and humid heading into Friday night. This area may have a slightly better chance of seeing an isolated thunderstorm, particularly if storms develop near the warm front.

Rain Chance Across Kentucky

Statewide rain chance: 20-30%. Northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati area have the best chance to see storms

Rain and thunderstorms are expected to remain isolated, meaning many communities across Kentucky should stay dry Friday evening.

Don't be surprised in Louisville tonight if some of the 8 pm kickoffs are pushed back to 8:30/9 pm. Why? At 7 pm the forecasted temperature is 93. That could push the heat index at certain fields/venues to the point that players in "pads/helmets' are not allowed (by KHSAA guidelines) onto the field for warmups. Most teams like to be on the field anywhere from 90 to 60 minutes prior to kick off.

12 minutes ago, TH58 said:

Don't be surprised in Louisville tonight if some of the 8 pm kickoffs are pushed back to 8:30/9 pm. Why? At 7 pm the forecasted temperature is 93. That could push the heat index at certain fields/venues to the point that players in "pads/helmets' are not allowed (by KHSAA guidelines) onto the field for warmups. Most teams like to be on the field anywhere from 90 to 60 minutes prior to kick off.

I know the science is the science and we should stick with the science but once sunset hits (roughly 805pm tonight) it is beautiful weather for football even when it is otherwise "hot."

HRRR Temperature and heat index maps for tonight from 5-11 pm EDT.

Temperature

Dewpoints will remain in the mid-to-upper 60s during the period. In western Kentucky, they could reach the low-to-mid 70s.

Scattered thunderstorms are popping up mainly south of I-64. There is now a severe thunderstorm warning for Estill County.

Severe Thunderstorm now headed towards the Cincinnati area from the northwest.

1 hour ago, nWo said:

Severe Thunderstorm now headed towards the Cincinnati area from the northwest.

I went out and walked for a little over an hour and when I first got outside it was hot, then in two minutes the sky was somewhat dark, we had wind gusts of at least 30mph, and it tried to rain. That kept up on and off for about 25 minutes with just a lot of wind and a couple of drops. The temp dropped about 15 degrees too, then I say it went back up about ten.