Tracking fire danger amid warm and dry conditions

THIS AFTERNOON: Mostly sunny and warm, with temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s. The record high to beat in Columbia is 71 degrees, set in 2017. Winds from the west and southwest will be between 10 to 15 mph. That breeze, combined with low humidity, will elevate the fire risk today as the area is in an ongoing drought.

TONIGHT: Temperatures fall to the 40s overnight with a few clouds passing through. Winds become light and variable.

EXTENDED: A disturbance will roll through Mid-Missouri early tomorrow, but rain chances remain limited with dry air in place and better moisture to our east. A shower and possibly a rumble of thunder are possible Thursday morning, but fire danger will return in the afternoon due to low humidity and warm temperatures in the 60s. A big cooldown is expected this weekend behind Thursday's front, with highs back in the 40s by Friday. Another system tracking through this colder air on Saturday will bring a low chance of snow for some, but accumulations continue to look light. Temperatures remain more seasonal in the upper 30s and 40s through Monday before another mild warmup in the long-range forecast.