Tracking the threat for severe storms tonight and tomorrow

TONIGHT: Scattered strong storms developing and pushing north late. Widespread rain and wind push back south overnight into the morning. Lows in the upper 50s to around 60.

TOMORROW: Rain exiting early, with partly sunny skies through late afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s to around 80. Severe storms developing by late afternoon, bringing the potential of large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes through late evening.

EXTENDED: The threat for severe weather will start ramping up here in the next few hours as a few cells have already developed across southeast Missouri along the warm front. I'm expecting some isolated storms along the Missouri River by 5-6 PM, lifting north into the I-70 corridor by 7-8PM, and pressing north through the evening. The severe weather threat will lower a bit as storms drift north of Highway 36 overnight, but outflow winds from those storms could push that batch back in our direction overnight into tomorrow morning. Some of these storms could bring small hail, heavy rain, and gusty winds into the morning commute. That round looks to exit by mid-late morning, allowing the atmosphere to recharge as we get into the upper 70s to almost 80. Rain amounts could exceed an inch with this batch. Strong to severe storms start popping up by late afternoon Thursday, bringing the threat of egg to tennis ball size hail, 60 mph winds, and a few tornadoes. Most of Mid-Missouri is in a level 2/5 severe risk as the threat will continue through about 10 PM tomorrow night. Behind the front, we'll cool into the 40s by Friday morning with a chilly weekend ahead as highs fall back into the 50s by Sunday.