Tracking morning thunderstorms, and afternoon sunshine

TODAY: Storms entering mid-Missouri this morning will bring periods of heavy rain and gusty winds, and widespread lightning and thunder. These storms have formed along a cold front that will likely push these storms east of HWY 63 by 8 a.m. We'll dry out areawide before noon, after picking up another tenth to a quarter of an inch of rain. Sunshine returns this afternoon, bringing temperatures back to around 70 for highs. Winds shift to a west northwesterly direction, behind the front, sustained at 10-15 mph.

TONIGHT: Another cold front inches in behind this mornings, overnight. This drops temperatures into the 40s early Thursday morning, and turns winds more directly out of the northwest.

EXTENDED: Behind this second front on Thursday, winds are breezy. Expect sustained winds in the 10-20 mph range, with gusts as high as 30+ mph. Thursday is sunny and in the 60s, but will feel like 50s for much of the day. Sunny and in the upper 60s is the rule for Friday, with similarly breezy conditions but from the west. On Saturday, we'll have a chance for early morning showers. Overall, chances are currently very slim, and likely before sunrise so most likely won't notice other than possibly some wet pavement. Temperatures are near 70 for Saturday afternoon, and we're trending cooler and dry for early next week, with morning lows in the 30s, and highs in the 50s. Brr!