Tracking a hot Thursday with scattered strong storms possible

TONIGHT: Mostly clear and warm with lows in the upper 60s to around 70.

TOMORROW: Few showers early, followed by afternoon storms that could become strong with gusty winds. Highs near 90 with a heat index in the upper 90s.

EXTENDED: Showers and storms have remained to the east, leaving us warm and dry for Wednesday night. A slow moving front in combination with robust energy sliding right along the top of upper high pressure will bring a chance of showers early on Thursday, and as instability grows we could see more intense thunderstorms develop by afternoon and evening as low level winds kick up. The main concern with storms in the late afternoon and evening will be strong winds between 60-70 mph and small hail. The front will slowly migrate south between Thursday and Friday, and likely stall out across Mid-Missouri, bringing a renewed chance for storms on Friday with similar threats. Two day rain totals will be in the 1-1.5" range, with those pockets of locally heavy rain associated with stronger storms. We could see some lingering storms across southern Missouri on Saturday, but the focus for the weekend and beyond will be hotter temperatures as upper high pressure builds across the Plains. We'll look to warm into the 90s from Tuesday on, but if the ridge retrogrades back west, we could end up in the storm path again with active weather by the middle and end of next week.