Tracking strong storms Tuesday

TODAY: Today is the last entirely dry day of this warm stretch. Yesterday, Columbia just barely cracked 90 degrees, and we'll have the opportunity to do it again this afternoon. Given a warmer start this morning, and an even more south to southwest oriented wind with similar gustiness at times, temperatures should be able to overcome some partly cloudy skies this morning.

TONIGHT: Skies will become mostly sunny by the afternoon, and remain clear overnight. Some clouds move in closer to sunrise Tuesday. Expect temperatures to drop to nearly 70 degrees.

EXTENDED: Tuesday, storms to our north and west will be dying around sunrise. Their outflow may trigger some morning showers, but for the most part, dry but cloudy is the forecast for Tuesday morning. Temperatures start warm in the 70s, but clouds and afternoon storms keep us in the 80s for highs. A cold front will slowly move in by the afternoon, bringing with it strong to severe storms. These storms look to arrive in the northwest (Saline, Chariton, and Macon counties) around 3 p.m. These storms will have the potential to pack hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. With all types of severe weather possible, the most likely threats here will be wind and hail. The slow moving line of storms will still be ongoing (but likely less intense) in the morning hours on Wednesday when it will begin its exit to the southeast. Wednesday we will still have some lingering rain from this system, especially near I-44. Thursday and Friday look drier as high pressure slides through for two days, before some sporadic activity looks to pop up near the weekend.