Tracking near-record warmth again today ahead of rain and a cooldown

TODAY: Tuesday is a hot day, with highs forecast in the mid-90s, near records that were set back in 1899. We expect enough humidity to make it feel like the low triple digits this afternoon. This heat and humidity are coming to a peak, though, as storms are expected tonight. These storms will kick off a multi-day rain event that should leave us much cooler by the weekend.

TONIGHT: Starting near our northwest counties like Saline, Chariton, and Macon, storms will strengthen into the late evening, before moving southeast and weakening into the overnight hours. A storm or two may be capable of hail and damaging winds, but most will experience locally heavy downpours and frequent lightning and thunder. Storms will become weaker, but rain will continue into the overnight, potentially bringing the bulk of Wednesday's rain through the early morning hours.

EXTENDED: Expect a wet commute on Wednesday morning, especially along and south of I-70. Exactly what happens with the rain through mid-morning as our low-level jet winds weaken is uncertain, but a very wet atmosphere keeps rain chances in play. However, despite a nearly 100% chance of rain for the day, there may be some dry time around midday and during the lunch hour. Rain chances will remain lower until another system moves in on Thursday. Rain chances will again likely pick up overnight into Thursday morning, with rain possible through the day on Thursday as well. A stalled frontal boundary will drive off and on rain through Thursday, but a cold front wipes the area clear on Friday, leaving us cooler in its wake. We expect highs in the 70s in the midst of rain on Wednesday and Thursday, but highs only reach the low 60s under sunny skies on Friday and Saturday, signaling a healthy dose of northern air infiltrating the region. Lows on Saturday morning may dip into the upper-30s.