August 1, 2010: Hot weather will continue through the week.

HAPPY August 1st!

Meteorological Fall begins on September 1st. So the countdown is already underway for those who are wanting cooler weather and fall. Just hang in there a little bit longer.

No real changes. Hot weather through the rest of the week and into the weekend. Expect daily high temperatures into the 90s. Mid to upper nineties can be expected on Monday into Thursday. I would not be surprised to see a few areas hit 100+ in our region. Heat index values will be in the 98 to 110 range. Dangerous heat and nothing to mess with - click here for some heat safety rules.

If you are interested in the official 6-10 day outlook then you may view those maps here at the climate prediction center. As you can see - hot weather is forecast to continue.

John Dissauer from KFVS Channel 12 has also placed some of his thoughts on his blog - concerning the heat wave.

Wondering just how many days we hit 90 degrees and above last month? Here are some climate data results from our friends over at the Paducah, KY NWS. Just hit preliminary monthly climate data - Paducah, KY and archived data - July 2010. That will bring up the monthly data sheet.

Little in the way of widespread precipitation is expected for our local counties. There have been scattered showers and storms over the last few days. And we can't rule out a few more in the coming days. Of course if you find yourself underneath one of those storms then heavy downpours and gusty winds can be expected. Along with the potential for lightning. However, severe weather is not expected. A frontal system will find itself near our region late in the week. This could add a few more storms to the forecast - mainly across the northern half of the area.

Your full forecast issued by the National Weather Service.

Still keeping an eye on two disturbed areas in the tropics. The one of most concern is the one that is way out in the Atlantic and came off the African Coast. This system has some potential to develop. Current forecast track. There is another system in the Caribbean that NHC is watching. We will see if one of these can develop into a named storm. I believe the Gulf of Mexico down along the Texas Coast over to Mississippi could be under some tropical threat over the coming 10 days period. Plenty of time to watch any development, though.

One last note - Joe Bastardi has his winter forecast out and at least for our region it pretty much matches up with what I have been saying and thinking for the past month. So, there is some agreement coming together on how this upcoming winter unfolds. I know we have some winter weather fans among our group.

Try to stay cool out there and remember that fall is not too far off.