Warm and Muggy Tuesday with Severe Storms Likely
TODAY: Quite a difference winds out of the south, accompanied by a warm front are making. Temperatures have been steadily rising since about midnight last night and will continue to do so through the day. It will be warm and windy with high temperatures in the mid to upper 70s, possibly breaking the record high in Columbia of 75 from 1972. Southerly winds of 15-20 mph will gust to 30 mph at times, giving us a high fire risk through the afternoon. There is a slight chance of t-storms by late afternoon which will increase Tuesday evening and overnight as a cold front moves through. Any storms that do form during the afternoon hours, will have the potential to go severe, with all modes possible. Storms that do form in the afternoon, will likely be after 3 PM, when we could see a few breaks in the clouds. The greatest threat for storms arrives through the overnight hours.
TONIGHT: Storms will be developing by 7PM-9PM in northwest Mid-Missouri near Chariton, Randolph, and Macon counties. A line of thunderstorms will develop and tracking from northwest Mid-Missouri through central Mid-Missouri in Columbia between 12AM and 3AM. These will move out by 5 AM Wednesday. Severe storms capable of producing ALL MODES of severe weather are possible. Areas east of Hwy 63 have the greatest potential of seeing tornadoes develop in any discrete cells that do form ahead of the line. The greatest threats are damaging wind over 58 mph and large hail. Power outages are possible with these strong winds.
EXTENDED: Another slight chance of light rain moves in from the northwest Wednesday morning. It will be cooler Wednesday with highs near 50, dropping to near 30 overnight. The rest of the week looks dry with temperatures returning to the 60s by the upcoming weekend. The next rain chance looks to increase by Sunday night and Monday morning of next week. Please check back for updates and follow ABC17Stormtrack on Twitter and ABC17News on Facebook for updates as well.
