Tracking rain clearing out before the weekend

TODAY: Light scattered rain will pass through the region along a cold front today. For most of us, the front brings minimal rainfall. Widespread totals are expected at less than a quarter of an inch. Those north of a line from Sedalia to Mexico will be dry by 7 p.m., with rain hanging on a bit longer to the south. The earlier you see rain, the cooler you will be today. Columbia should reach the low 70s before the front passes.

TONIGHT: We're all drying out overnight. Skies clear by sunrise, and northerly winds pull in cooler air, dropping temperatures to near 50 early tomorrow.

EXTENDED: Saturday is cool and dry, in the mid 70s with sunny skies. Temperatures warm into the upper 70s on Sunday, thanks to more sun. A slow temperature climb carries us into the 80s by Monday, approaching the 90 mark late week, with sunshine all along the way. The extended pattern looks mostly dry, but slim rain chances start to pop up Wednesday and Thursday.