Tracking extreme heat and strong storms for some by tomorrow night
TONIGHT: Decreasing clouds and warmer with lows falling into the upper 60s.
TOMORROW: Mostly sunny, hot, and breezy with highs in the mid-90s with a heat index between 100-104 by late afternoon.
EXTENDED: A warm front lifts through the region tonight into tomorrow, allowing much warmer air to filter in as highs reach the 90s with dew points returning to the 70s. That combination will allow feels like temperatures to top out in the 100-104 range. Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop by late afternoon into early evening for portions of central and southern Iowa. Damaging winds will be the main threat through northern Missouri, and a few of those strong storms could clip our northern counties along and north of Highway 24. Elsewhere further south, we'll lose the necessary energy for storms to remain widespread severe through Tuesday night. That said, storms are expected to continue to work south overnight into Wednesday morning. The front triggering those storms is expected to waver around the region through Thursday night, producing rounds of showers and storms. There is a marginal 1/5 risk for a few strong storms on Wednesday evening as the atmosphere recuperates during the day. We'll have a chunk of dry time during the day on Thursday, allowing temperatures to reach the upper 80s to around 90. However, more storms could develop and move in from the west/northwest on Thursday night, perhaps putting a pause on fireworks displays. The weekend is looking much more promising for dry time to get outside and celebrate Independence Day as we can expect more sunshine and highs in the 80s. Rain amounts through Thursday could get up to 3" in some spots, allowing river levels to crest at minor flood stage next week.
