Insider Blog: Tracking heavy rain and storms Thursday night and Friday
The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team is tracking the potential for isolated strong storms and heavy rain for parts of Mid-Missouri tonight into Friday.
A cold front worked its way south through much of the state this morning, leaving many of us north of the Lake of the Ozarks in the 40s with cloudy skies. The front has stalled just north of the I-44 corridor, leaving points south warmer and more unstable. Low level winds continue to increase tonight, pushing in more moisture along the frontal boundary.
Isolated strong storms with quarter size hail are possible through about midnight for points along the front. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 11:00 p.m. for Phelps and Pulaski counties.
Heavy rain is likely overnight for much of Mid-Missouri south of I-70. By tomorrow morning, we'll have a lull in widespread rain through about mid-late afternoon. Low pressure rides up along the leftover frontal boundary late in the day, bringing the last batch of rain and rumbles of thunder that last until early Saturday morning.
Rain amounts will be in the 1-1.5" range for Columbia, 1.5" to 2" for Jefferson City, and upwards of 3"+ near the Lake area and along I-44. Rainfall rates tonight could get up to 1-2" per hour, causing flooding on roads into Friday morning.
Avoid low water crossings and areas prone to flooding, especially when it's dark. If you encounter a water covered road, turn around and find an alternate route.
Make sure to have the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather App to get alerts to your location, check on road conditions, and Futuretrack for when rain moves out.
