Big outdoor plans this weekend? Prepare to sweat, sweat and sweat some more

Look out, Lexington, this weekend is gonna be hot.

And muggy.

And downright swampy.

The dog days of summer will be at full blast this weekend with Saturday’s “feels like” temperature will near 100 degrees and reach 104° on Sunday, according to AccuWeather. The high feels-like temperature could reach its peak Tuesday at 107°.

Mark Jarvis, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Louisville, said the temperature is not unusual for this time of year, with a projected temperature in the low 90s. He said the “driving force” behind the upcoming conditions and high feels-like temperature is the elevated humidity.

Jarvis said dew point temperatures usually are around the high 60s for this time of year, but this weekend and early next week will experience dew points in the low to middle 70s, Jarvis said. High dew point, paired with temperatures in the low 90s, raises the feels-like temperature.

“This is just excessive humidity that’s going to lead to rather discomforting conditions across the area with really no relief at night,” Jarvis said.

In response, Lexington officials are extending Phase One of the city’s heat plan through July 31.

That means:

• LexTran will provide rides to cooling stations for those experiencing homelessness free of charge.
• Outreach teams will distribute supplies throughout the community.
• Lexington’s community centers, which include Dunbar, Kenwick, Castlewood, and Tates Creek, will be open until the early evening.
• City waste collection will begin early, with residential services at 4:30 a.m. and commercial services at 3:30 a.m. Residents should place carts on the curb the night before their collection day.
• Lex End Homelessness has opened cooling stations, with locations at Arbor Youth Services, Lexington Rescue Mission, Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, New Life Day Center, New Vista Drop-In Center, Nathenial Mission, and Recovery Café Lexington.

Lexington officials Friday warned the very young, the elderly and those with medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should seek shelter from the extreme heat.

Jarvis credited the high humidity to a “wet spring.” He said high amounts of rain and thunderstorms in the spring and throughout this summer have kept temperatures down, but increased ground moisture.

“Had we not had all the rainfall... we wouldn’t have seen the high humidity,” Jarvis said. “But we may have seen temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100 instead.”

Jarvis said there is a possibility for scattered showers across the wave of humidity, but added the overall rain forecast will be “very low.” Most areas will remain dry and hot.

But good news is on the horizon, Jarvis said.

Next Thursday, temperatures are projected to drop to 88 degrees and continue to fall, according to AccuWeather. No day next weekend is forecast to be over 84.

Jarvis said it is due to a “northerly flow pattern” of cold air coming from Canada. He said the change will “probably bring a round of showers and storms to the area.”

During the period of high humidity, Jarvis advised those working outside to wear sunscreen, stay hydrated and take consistent breaks.

This story was originally published July 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM.