Tracking intense heat and scattered strong storms tomorrow
TONIGHT: Partly cloudy and muggy with a chance of storms east of Highway 54. Lows in the mid-70s.
TOMORROW: Partly sunny with scattered showers and storms by late afternoon into the evening. Highs in the mid-90s with a heat index between 102-108. Some storms may be strong to severe with quarter-sized hail and gusty winds.
EXTENDED: Isolated to scattered storms have developed across east/southeast Missouri and could continue to fill in to the west into this evening, bringing the threat of heavy downpours and isolated gusty winds to areas generally along and east of Highway 54. The severe threat will be low, but a few wind gusts up to 50-55 mph will be possible with these storms. There could be a lingering storm or two into the morning, but the story of early Tuesday will yet again be the heat. A Heat Advisory continues through Thursday evening for heat indices between 100-108. Tuesday afternoon, scattered showers and storms could develop across western and northwest Missouri and push into Mid-MO by late afternoon/early evening. There is some uncertainty on additional development by evening, but if that does pan out, we could see a line of strong to severe storms move from west to east through the area, bringing the threat of heavy rain and damaging winds. We are in a slight risk (level 2) for Tuesday and ingredients look the most favorable vs. any other day this week. However, we could have a few storms pop up Wednesday afternoon/evening that could be marginally severe given the amount of instability...thank you heat and humidity. Rain amounts will likely be between 1-2" through the end of the week, but are highly dependent on what areas get under these water-logged storms.
We could end up with a fourth day of uncomfortable heat on Thursday depending on the timing of a cold front to the north that will bring relief to the area. Isolated storms will be possible Thursday along and ahead of the front, with temperatures dropping back into the upper 80s on Friday as it passes to our south. The weekend is looking more pleasant with highs in the mid-upper 80s on Saturday and Sunday.
