Tracking few rain chances today ahead of better chances on Wednesday

TODAY: Tuesday is another gray day, with plenty of clouds at least through the morning. A weak area of low pressure aloft to our west will send weak showers into the region through the day, but a dry lower half of the atmosphere will weaken these showers if not totally evaporate them. This leaves today mostly dry, with best rain chances in the west. Temperatures are in the upper 70s to low 80s by the afternoon, another below average temperature day. Underneath the weak low aloft is enough surface high pressure to keep winds from the north locally, even if they are very light.

TONIGHT: Temperatures fall to near 60 under mostly clear skies. Winds are light and northeasterly.

EXTENDED: Wednesday starts bright, with a mostly dry day. By the afternoon, showers and storms are developing along a cold front that will drop in from the north. This brings some much needed rain, and a wet end to the day, from north to south. If timing works out, and enough energy can build, some storms along the front could be capable of hail and gusty winds. The severe threat likely remains isolated, and is low for now. This rain arrival in Columbia and Jefferson City will likely be during the dinner hours. Rain amounts currently look to range from a tenth to just shy of a half inch of rain. Many should find themselves around a quarter inch of rain from the passing of this cold front. Behind it, air cools the rest of the week. Dry skies, and highs in the 70s are expected through the weekend. A second push of cooler air on Friday night may leave lows as cool as the upper 40s on Saturday morning. We still expect highs in the 70s for Saturday's big game at Faurot Field. Rain chances will hold off until late Sunday and or Monday of next week.