Tracking scattered thunderstorms ahead of cooler days

TODAY: Tuesday will be a cooler day in temperature, but don't expect a break from the humidity. A slow moving cold front won't bring much relief in terms of airmass change, but it will generate rain and cloud cover that could shade us into the low 90s for highs. That would keep our heat index out of the extreme territory that we felt yesterday, but we may still feel as hot as 100 degrees. Some near the Lake of the Ozarks and I-44, though, may see extreme heat before relief can arrive that far south. A Heat Advisory is in place here. Several rounds of rain will be possible, with the nature of the slow moving front amid a very wet atmosphere bringing potential for heavy and stagnant rains. There will be a flood threat in the south (lake area to I-44), as the front arrives there in the heat of the day. This will be when the atmosphere is primed for thunderstorms, and we should see them develop the best coverage in this region. This is where an Areal flood watch is already in place early this morning.

TONIGHT: Rain will continue to sag south behind the front, leaving us mostly dry by Wednesday morning, although some clouds will linger. Temperatures fall into the low 70s and high 60s with some north wind.

EXTENDED: We'll see lower humidity through the day, but still feel a heat index in the mid-to-upper 80s despite temperatures in the low 80s. A cooler feeling day will be most noticeable on Thursday, with very little humidity if any at all. We'll have a dry and comfortable end to the week, with Rain chances returning by Sunday into early next week.