Tracking rain and isolated strong storms tonight

TONIGHT: Showers and storms likely, some could be strong with damaging winds and heavy rain. Lows near 60.

TOMORROW: Partly to mostly cloudy and cooler. Highs in the upper 50s.

EXTENDED: A Weather Alert Day is in effect for the threat of damaging winds and isolated hail tonight. Our severe weather risk has decreased a touch since this morning given the lack of instability present over our area this afternoon. However, severe storms out of Oklahoma will work their way east tonight, forming into a line that moves into the southern half of the state after about 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Farther north, a few strong storms will be possible along the cold front, but the risk is lower north of I-70. The window for severe weather in Mid-Missouri will be between about 8:00 p.m. to midnight. Storms will continue to weaken overnight as they move east, with showers exiting by early Tuesday. Clouds stick around, and winds eventually shift to the north on Tuesday, keeping our temperatures cooler than average in the upper 50s. After a break from rain on Tuesday, another low pressure system to our southwest will bring showers and a few thunderstorms late Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. A few storms may be strong on Thursday, especially east of Highway 63, however the threat looks more likely across southeast Missouri in the afternoon. Showers exit early on Friday, with tranquil weather expected over the weekend. Expect sunshine on Saturday and Sunday with highs in the low 70s Saturday, reaching near 80 on Sunday as winds pick up from the southwest. Next week starts off warm but looks active again with southwest upper level winds. Rain amounts will reach around 1-1.5" with this first round, and an additional 1-1.5" Wednesday through Friday.