Tracking dry time before heavy rains return tonight

TODAY: Thursday will start with a chance for a few showers and thunderstorms, but these may dissipate by sunrise. Generally dry conditions are expected through Thursday morning and into the midday, but rain chances will gradually increase through the afternoon. Amid partly to mostly cloudy skies and dry time, highs are expected in the low-to-mid 80s. Some thunderstorms are likely by the evening, with some strong enough to produce isolated damaging winds.

TONIGHT: Exactly when and where rain chances return initially is uncertain, but by late evening, widespread rain is expected. Heavy rain will be the biggest concern with this system as rain persists overnight into Friday morning.

EXTENDED: Rain is forecast to persist on Friday as well, leading to concern for flooding. Through Friday night, up to 2-4 inches of rain is forecast to fall in some locations, with local amounts up to 3-5 inches possible. Exactly where this comes is somewhat uncertain, but chances are greatest along and south of Highway 50. For more information, read our ABC17 Stormtrack Insider Blog. Rain chances may linger Saturday, but drier weather is forecast Saturday night into Sunday. Heat and humidity become the focus Sunday into next week.