Hot weather stretches across Kentucky. What to know about high temps, drought conditions
Despite a heat advisory in effect for all western Kentucky, the week’s high temperatures are not expected to seriously deepen drought conditions.
Much of the state is bracing for hot temperatures for the rest of the week and into the weekend, including Lexington, where officials are expecting highs in the 90s and a heat index in the 100s.
In the western and some of the central part of the state, heat index values are anticipated to be in the 104 to 109 range, according to a National Weather Service notice issued Wednesday.
According to NWS meteorologist Kyle Wilkins, a worsening drought seems unlikely, however, at least at this point.
Here’s what you can expect in terms of drought and hot weather in Kentucky this week.
What’s the current status of drought conditions in Kentucky?
Using the most recent update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, roughly 34% of Kentucky is currently experiencing moderate drought conditions, data from July 12 show.
That’s actually the mildest form of drought the U.S. Drought Monitor measures. It includes conditions like heat stress on trees, crops and pastures, poor corn germination, burn bans and wildfire reports and increased fungal and algae growth.
A much larger portion of the state – nearly 70% according to the latest Drought Monitor report for Kentucky – is under “abnormally dry” conditions, with browning lawns and vegetation and crops and pastures.
What does this mean for drought in Kentucky?
Though the NWS heat advisory has been issued for all of western Kentucky, the weekend weather likely won’t widen drought conditions too much.
“Right now, it doesn’t look dire,” Wilkins said.
As of Wednesday, people in Lexington were likely to see some relief with a cold front set to move through the area later that night, Wilkins said.
Still, “the outlook for this week is mostly dry.”
Rain chances have been hit or miss and “sporadic,” Wilkins said, explaining that’s why you’re seeing some lawns turning brown but not others.
That said, these are typical conditions for this time of year.
“I don’t think it’s a major drought or going in that direction,” Wilkins said.
He added that if it were autumn with bountiful brown vegetation, the conditions might pose more of a problem with an increased chance of wildfires breaking out. As it stands currently, vegetation here is still quite green, which helps.
How is Lexington responding to expected hot weather.
Lexington activated its heat plan Wednesday, opening a cooling center and offering half-price admission to public swimming pools.
While the heat wave settles over Lexington this weekend, city officials are urging residents to stay hydrated and safe while outdoors.
What precautions should be taken?
Wilkins said the high heat – particularly paired with the high humidity – is something to watch out for in the coming days.
You probably know humans shed heat by sweating, which allows us to cool ourselves using evaporation. But high humidity, or water vapor saturation in the air, hinders that evaporation process and thus our ability to control our body temperatures.
The consequences can be high blood pressure, organ failure and death.
In the big picture, dangerous humid-heat extremes are happening decades earlier than experts initially predicted due to the climate change crisis. Additionally, some research indicates humans are less resilient to humid-heat conditions than previously thought.
The impact of these conditions can sneak up on you, especially if you work outdoors. This is why you’ll hear local officials urging people to hone the fundamentals, like hydration and taking frequent breaks while working outside.
Wilkins also urged the public to stay vigilant about the dangers of leaving children in vehicles during a heat wave, as well.
The majority of hot car deaths, 53%, happen because someone simply forgets a child in a car.
This is why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges parents and caregivers to actually look inside the car before locking the doors – even if you don’t think you have the child with you.
Everyone, not just parents, should also make sure to keep their vehicle doors locked, according to the NHTSA. This is because more than a quarter of hot car deaths happen when unattended children manage to lock themselves in unlocked vehicles.
If you see a child alone in a vehicle:
Stop to make sure the child is OK.
If the child appears to be alright, attempt to locate the parents. If you’re at a public place, ask the facility to use its intercom system to page the parents.
If the child is not responsive, call 911 immediately. Try to get into the car while you wait for authorities, even if that means breaking the car window. Many states have Good Samaritan laws that shield emergency responders from civil liability.
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