Tracking a slick morning commute for some Wednesday
TODAY: Wednesday will start near or below freezing along and north of I-70. Through the morning we expect precipitation to develop and intensify from drizzle to light showers, creating a window for icing where air temperatures are 32° or below. In most places, this will be confined to elevated surfaces like bridges, overpasses, and decks, but north of HWY 24, where temperatures are coldest, we could see a chance for spotty slick spots on ground contact roads. This threat will remain until temperatures climb above freezing, which will be mid-morning near Columbia, but could be as late as early afternoon from Moberly to Macon. Warmer air and rain will continue into the afternoon, melting aforementioned icing. Some may hear a rumble of thunder or two as well, but no severe storms are expected. Afternoon temperatures appear limited to the upper 30s now, with our temperatures warming into the 40s after sunset, as this system moves northward into the region.
TONIGHT: Temperatures in the 40s bring our high today around midnight tonight, before temperatures fall back into the 30s by sunrise. many should avoid freezing again Thursday morning.
EXTENDED: After clouds and some fog clear Thursday morning, sunshine should help boost temperatures back into the upper 40s, despite a switch to northerly winds. Those north winds will have us feeling cool the next morning, with lows in the 20s Friday. As clouds move in, temperatures on Friday will be near average for this mid-winter day, near 40. Clouds on Friday precede a system that brings rain chances Friday night into Saturday, and a great deal of uncertainty regarding Saturday's temperatures. For now, its reasonable to think that this could boost highs to near 50, but much remains to be pinned down regarding this. It's also beginning to look like we could see our next snow flakes with a chance for a wintry mix at the beginning of next week.