Tracking storms tonight with some possibly strong

TODAY: Thursday is dry and bright, with only partly cloudy skies along a warm front lifting into the region. Thursday is warmer than Wednesday thanks to this front, and we should expect highs in the mid-to-upper 70s.

TONIGHT: The warm front mentioned above will precede a cold front that arrives after 9 p.m. tonight. This front will drive a chance for thunderstorms area wide, but especially along and north of I-70. The chance for rain will be better in Columbia than Jefferson City, but notably better in Moberly and Macon. Storms will be strongest in the west and weaken with eastward extent. There is borderline support for gusty winds as these storms arrive in the far west, but a hail threat may last a little bit longer into the overnight hours. Still, our hail threat is expected to be isolated and with only the strongest storms.

EXTENDED: Friday morning, storms will come to an end by 7 a.m. However, some low stratus clouds will likely linger behind the front, and these may bring a sprinkle or shower through midday. Otherwise Friday is partly to mostly cloudy and dry, with a high in the low 70s. Temperatures cool further into the weekend with highs expected in the 60s Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures coolest Sunday morning, in the 40s. From here, we'll warm back into the 80s next week.