Tracking one last steamy day ahead of a cold front that brings rain and a cooler Thursday

TODAY: Wednesday will be warm, with highs likely in the 90s. This is as most will reach the 90s ahead of a slow-moving cold front that is on our northern doorstep this morning. As the front passes, a sharp drop in temperatures is expected. This is partly because of rain behind the front, which may keep highs in the low 80s north of Highway 24. Where we remain dry most of the day, it will be another day of heat indexes in the 100-105 degree range. Some shower chances are possible this morning ahead of the front, but rain will be sparse in most places until after the cold front passes. Storms are expected to redevelop along the front this afternoon, increasing rain chances from 3 p.m. through the evening. This is when storms are most likely to be strong, if at all. The severe threat is very low, but some gusty winds are possible from the strongest storms.

TONIGHT: Showers and storms continue overnight and into Thursday morning. With plenty of water in the atmosphere and stronger low-level winds, our heaviest rain may come overnight, leaving us with 1-2 inches of rain.

EXTENDED: On Thursday morning, rain will be pushing south, but rain may linger south of Highway 50 well into the afternoon. Cooler air is expected on Thursday, with lows in the 60s and highs in the 70s and 80s. Mostly sunny skies return Friday, with highs remaining in the mid-80s. An active pattern remains forecast with daily rain chances from Saturday through the middle of next week.