Tracking gusty winds that bring us a spring-like day

TODAY: Monday will be exceptionally warm, as warm air gets carried into mid-Missouri on the back of gusty winds. Expect sustained southeast winds around 20 mph late this morning, turning more southwesterly by the afternoon. These winds will gust as high as 30-40 mph. This should push temperatures just over the 60 degree mark. In the mean time, skies will looking increasingly gray as some high clouds move in overhead. Some lower level clouds may also begin to develop in the late afternoon.

TONIGHT: Winds will continue from the south until a cold front arrives late tonight, generally after 8-9 p.m. in the west. This will bring a wind shift, but also light showers along the front. These will pass through overnight, leaving in the southeast by 2-3 a.m.

EXTENDED: We'll wake up fairly warm behind the front early Tuesday. Temperatures will start in the 30s and 40s, before warming back to near 50 in the afternoon. Sunshine will return through a partly cloudy sky. Approaching by Tuesday night, is another low pressure system to the southwest. This will bring a better chance for widespread rainfall overnight into Wednesday. Rainfall totals will very by location (higher south), but broadly these totals will provide many the chance for up to a half inch. Wednesday looks like it may be wet all day long, with highs in the mid-40s. Temperatures climb to near 50, as clouds will try to clear on Thursday, before another quick moving low from the south moves through late Thursday night. Leaving by Friday morning, this system may bring a switch from rain to snow as it passes largely thanks to the overnight timing. Temperatures Friday afternoon are forecast back near 40, and we get back to mid-40s Saturday, and 50s on Sunday as drier weather returns for the weekend.