Tracking strong storms Friday that bring a break from the heat

TODAY: Another copy and paste forecast is in store today, with more hot and humid weather expected Thursday. Highs will reach low 90s again with sunny skies and a consistent southerly breeze. It may feel more like upper 90s with the added humidity.

TONIGHT: Despite clouds to our west inching closer, most will stay mostly clear overnight until sunrise. Temperatures will fall to near 70 again early Friday.

EXTENDED: Thunderstorm activity to our west finally makes it back to mid-Missouri on Friday. A cold front will squeeze into the region as our upper level blocking pattern lets up. This will bring a chance for showers and storms. Timing will play a big role in the intensity and placement. As of now, its looking like we may see showers and maybe a few rumbles of thunder arrive Friday morning in our western most counties as the front pushes in. As the sun comes up, and more instability becomes available, the front will start to trigger more thunderstorms, some of which may be severe. Given the high levels of energy in the atmosphere, these storms may grow to produce large hail or damaging winds. This boundary will be slow to leave Friday night into Saturday, so we'll keep chances for rain and thunder in the forecast through the first half of Saturday, so graduation festivities in the afternoon will have a better shot at some dry time. Sunday morning, a small disturbance in the atmosphere passes by to our south bringing us close to a chance for some thunderstorms, but it looks like the best chance misses us. Still, it could be something to watch as we get closer. Monday looks dry, with temperatures just about at rock bottom for the next 7 days. We drop into the upper 70s Sunday through Tuesday, before starting a gradual warmup into midweek.