Weekend storm chances, rising temperatures

80 degree temperatures will stick around for the start of the weekend with highs in the mid to upper 80s Saturday and partly cloudy skies. Spotty t-storms are possible during the day Saturday but will be very hit and miss with most areas seeing plenty of dry time. Any storms which pop up in the afternoon could strengthen to bring brief strong wind gusts or one inch hail.

A warm front will move through Saturday night, positioned in northeastern Missouri by Sunday morning. At the same time, low level winds at 2000 to 4000 above the surface will increase Saturday night, transporting moist air in from the south across the warm front boundary which will cause storms developing in Iowa to grow in coverage and strength. These are forecast to move to the southeast and into northeastern Missouri by daybreak Sunday, affecting areas north of I-70. Heavy rain is possible with these storms along with strong wind gusts as they first move in.

The hot, humid weather begins Sunday afternoon with high temperatures in the low to mid 90s and afternoon heat indices peaking at 100-104 under partly cloudy skies. This is the start of a heat wave which is likely to last through next weekend.