Tracking near record heat this afternoon, rain chances and a cool down by tomorrow

TONIGHT: Mostly clear and muggy with lows in the lower 70s.

TOMORROW: Increasing clouds and warm with highs in the lower 90s. Spotty to scattered storms possible south of Highway 50 by early evening.

EXTENDED: The record high for today has been tied with 98 degrees recorded at the Columbia airport as of 3:00 p.m. We'll remain muggy tonight with lows falling into the lower 70s. Tomorrow, a cold front begins to approach the area from the north, increasing clouds and keeping temperatures a bit cooler for the northern half of the area in the upper 80s. A few spotty storms will be possible near the frontal boundary mainly along and south of Highway 50 by late afternoon or early evening, but another round of post frontal showers does not arrive until after 10:00 p.m. Light rain lasts into Thursday morning, keeping temperatures in the upper 50s to start the day. As rain exits Thursday, we'll be left with cloud cover and highs in the upper 60s to around 70. Friday starts off nice and cool with lows in the low to mid-50s. A few rain showers are possible north of I-70 on Friday as a weak disturbance rolls through, but we still manage to warm up into the lower 70s. Clouds hold on for high school football on Friday, but rain looks to move out before then. Saturday is a bit warmer as a warm front lifts through the area the night before, allowing temperatures to reach the mid-upper 80s. Another weak cold front moves in Saturday evening, bringing a chance for scattered showers and a few storms, along with cooler temperatures in the 70s on Sunday. Rain amounts over the next 7 days will range between 0.25" to 0.5". Next week looks fairly dry and quiet with near average temperatures in the upper 70s thanks to a more zonal or east to west jet stream pattern for majority of the week.