Tracking dangerous heat to end the week
TONIGHT: Mostly clear and comfortable with low humidity and temperatures in the low to mid-60s.
TOMORROW: Mostly sunny with low humidity and highs around 90.
EXTENDED: With lower humidity expected again tomorrow, it will look very similar to start out in the 60s with highs near 90 Wednesday afternoon. We'll be tracking a decaying storm complex to our north on Thursday morning that could bring a few showers to northern Missouri. Right now it looks like we'll miss out on an opportunity for cooling rain. Heat ramps up Thursday and Friday as upper high pressure gets over us and pulls in southwesterly winds. A Weather Alert Day is in effect both Thursday and Friday as highs reach the upper 90s to around 100 degrees with heat indices topping 100. The record high for Thursday is 101, and 100 on Friday. Thankfully we'll get a break by Friday night and the weekend with a cold front approaching the area from the north. Scattered showers and storms are possible Friday through Sunday as this front wavers across the state. Given the ingredients, a few of the storms could be strong on Saturday if we can break through a warmer layer of air just above the surface. Still, outdoor plans aren't completely ruled out as I'm not expecting a washout either day. Temperatures reach the upper 80s for the weekend with a continued active pattern next week. We need the rainfall as we're just under 2" below average for the month so far. The 7-day rain total looks to add up to 1-1.5" of rain at this point. Temperatures next week will be seasonable with highs in the mid-upper 80s and lows in the upper 60s.
