Tracking warm air and meaningful rain on the way

TODAY: We're mostly sunny today, with some high clouds moving in this afternoon. Winds from the south will have us warm today, as temperatures reach into the 50s for highs.

TONIGHT: Clouds fill in overnight, and winds remain southerly. This keeps lows in the 30s and 40s early Thursday.

EXTENDED: Thursday will start dry, and for some, most of the day will be dry, but for those near Rolla could see rain as soon as noon, with folks near Owensville and Jefferson City seeing rain an hour or two later into the afternoon. Rain may hold off in Columbia until the dinner hour, or late afternoon. Rain becomes more widespread overnight, bringing everyone a chance for rain, before tapering off into Friday. Some spotty showers may linger into Friday evening. Communities near I-44 are expected to see the most rain, with totals reaching an inch or more. Areas to the north, from Columbia to Macon will likely see much less, with totals potentially reaching up to a half inch. Temperatures are expected near 50 on Thursday, with temperatures only reaching the mid-40s on Friday. Temperatures remain mild, in the 40s and 50s over the weekend, as a series of upper level shortwaves keep slim chances for precipitation on both Saturday and Sunday. By early next week, we'll be trending drier with temperatures likely in the 40s.