Jennifer Edwards Baker reports:
It will be another scorcher today with a high temperature expected to soar to 100 degrees, just one degree shy of Thursday’s high.
With the heat index figured in, it could feel as hot at 110 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
Already at 5 a.m., it’s 80 degrees at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
Excessive heat and smog alerts remain in effect across the region.
That means all age groups, especially the elderly and small children and those with respiratory issues, are encouraged to curtail time outdoors this afternoon and early evening.
A special weather statement also remains out, essentially warning that outdoor burning and other fires are not a good idea at this point.
Much of Northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana and some of southwestern Ohio is under a moderate drought, the weather service reports today.
So far this year, the region is nearly 4 inches below normal rainfall totals, said meteorologist John Franks.
Typically, 22.39 inches falls at this point, compared with 18.67 recorded.
There is a slight risk for isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. today. Otherwise it will remain sunny. Winds will be low, at around 8 mph.
There’s another slight risk for scattered showers and thunderstorms early Saturday. The overnight low will only fall to 73.
This weekend, the mercury will dip back into the double digits but otherwise remain dangerously hot.
Saturday and Sunday will both top out at 99 degrees with heat index values around 104.
The scorching heat will stick around through at least the middle of next week and the Fourth of July holiday on Wednesday.
Highs will remain in the upper 90s with overnight lows in the 70s.
Keep watering those lawns and flowers. After this weekend, rain does not enter back into the forecast through at least Thursday.
