Spring-like temperatures through the weekend
The upper level winds will shift to west-southwest the next few days which will allow milder air to move into Missouri. This is a big change from the northwesterly air flow we experienced this past week which gave us shots of chilly air and small amounts of wintry precipitation.
Wednesday will be the transition day as temperatures start warming with winds shifting to the southeast. Clouds will give way to sunshine in the afternoon Wednesday and temperatures will warm to near 50.
Southerly winds will carry warmer air in for the end of the week, bringing temperatures up into the 60s to near 70 Thursday and Friday. However, it will be windy with winds gusting to 30 mph at times. We won’t reach record highs though. The record high in Columbia Thursday is 71 from 1930 and 76 Friday which also occurred in 1930.
Slightly cooler air moves in behind weak cold fronts which move through Friday and again Sunday. After a mild weekend, high temperatures will drop into the 40s early next week.
The temperature outlook through February is for above warmer than average temperatures in Missouri. Although we will have some cool days, overall temperatures will come in above normal for this time of year.
