Tracking hit and miss rain chances Thursday ahead of a sunny late-spring weekend

TODAY: Thursday starts with numerous showers, leaving us with only isolated to scattered showers and storms by the afternoon. There will be abundant dry time after 9 a.m., and even bright enough skies to consider sunglasses and sunscreen for outdoor time this afternoon. The UV will be moderate to high near Columbia, low near Rolla, and high from Sedalia to northern Boone county to Paris and areas northwest of these communities. Temperatures settle in the low 70s for many in the afternoon. Expect a northeast breeze around 5-10 mph, gusting to 15.

TONIGHT: Skies will clear to partly cloudy by early Friday morning, leaving us with lows in the 40s to near 50, and a chance at sunrise.

EXTENDED: Abundant sunshine fills the sky from Friday through the weekend. Friday's high comes in the low 70s as cool northern air replaces the rainfall from midweek. The temperatures only increase over the weekend, leaving us sunny and 75 on Saturday, and in the upper 70s Sunday. We would've been on track for 80 by Monday, but a gulf low brings clouds and a shower chance by midday. This keeps highs in the 70s, before a better chance at 80 with dry time Tuesday and Wednesday.