Tracking April showers and strong storms late week

TODAY: Scattered showers are possible this afternoon, but some will see a brief lull in rain. Highs remain in the 60s. Storms will redevelop in southern Missouri by 4 to 5 p.m. and spread north into Jefferson City and Columbia by the dinner hour. An isolated strong storm is possible through sunset, but we mostly expect heavy downpours and frequent lightning.

TONIGHT: Storms persist overnight along and north of I-70, and across western Missouri. Areas closer to I-44 look somewhat drier, with lighter showers possible. Temperatures remain in the 60s, and will even warm a few degrees overnight as a warm front lifts through the area.

EXTENDED: Showers and storms will move east early Thursday, and temperatures will warm into the 70s with sunshine in the afternoon. However, we're tracking a chance of a few storms in northern Missouri late Thursday afternoon along a cold front, with an isolated strong storm possible. Thursday night will be dry behind the front, and we stay dry through Friday morning as a warm front lifts back into the region. Our greatest threat for severe storms this week will come on Friday afternoon, and an ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Alert Day has been issued for the risk of all severe hazards late Friday. Rain will finally clear out early Saturday, leaving us cool and muddy for Easter weekend, with highs in the 50s. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain is possible by the end of the week.