Tracking strong winds and strong storms
TODAY: Starting with near, if not at, record warmth, temperatures will be warm throughout the day, in the mid-to-upper 80s this afternoon, challenging records again. This is thanks in part to our warm start, but also stout southerly and south westerly winds. Winds may gust in the 30-40+ mph range. A wind advisory in our northwestern counties is in effect where winds may exceed this range. Skies remain dry, with partly cloudy conditions forecast.
TONIGHT: High clouds will be present overnight, likely sky view, but also possibly helping keep us warm to a degree. Winds continue from the south overnight, allowing for another warm start tomorrow.
EXTENDED: Starting near 70 again, temperatures will be toasty once more, but southerly flow intensifying with more moisture ahead of a cold front will lead to a chance at an increase in low clouds in the afternoon, possibly keeping us in the low-to-mid 80s. This won't be the focus though, as thunderstorm chances may develop in the west as soon as 7 p.m. There may be two rounds, one before the cold front, and one along the cold front. Pre-frontal storms will come as soon as 7 p.m. near Sedalia, Marshall and Brunswick, and closer to 9 p.m. for Columbia California, Osage Beach, and Mexico. The cold front will bring a more scattered round as opposed to the more isolated initial round. The front will move through a couple later, and bring an end to storm chances. We'll have a chance for storms with hail, damaging winds and tornadoes with both rounds, but our greatest concern is for hail and damaging winds. The greatest threat will be for communities west of highways 63 and 54. Places like Marshall, Sedalia, and the lake region will likely see stronger storms. Storms will exit by 7 a.m. Thursday, and leave Halloween cool and dry, with a high in the 50s and 60s. Dress for 40s and 50s for Halloween night. 60s remain in the forecast for highs over the weekend, with rain chances Saturday through Monday of next week.
