Tracking a mild start to the week and a chilly weekend

TODAY: Showers and thunderstorms this morning will bring a wet start to some. A quick passing shower will be possible for most, but after that, the best chance for any continued precipitation will be largely confined south of HWY 50. Lightning and thunder will be the extent of the strength of these storms. Temperatures will remain relatively stagnant through the day, with temperatures in the 50s this morning, cooling into the 40s through mid-morning before rebounding into the low 50s by the afternoon. Folks near I-44 could pick up a few tenths of an inch of rain after rain wraps up around 9 a.m. The rest of the day will be sunny, with a westerly wind around 5-10 mph.

TONIGHT: Skies remain mostly clear overnight, and temperatures fall to near freezing.

EXTENDED: Starting colder, we'll still have highs in the 50s on Tuesday afternoon, as winds turn back from the south by the afternoon. This comes as another chance for rain arrives overnight into Wednesday. Most will stay dry, but a few showers near I-44 will be possible into Wednesday morning. We'll be mild and bright on Thursday with a high in the 40s, but a cold front will pass Thursday night, mostly without incident. While no precipitation is currently forecast locally, it will bring a rain/snow chance for folks in Iowa, and then follow it up with a cold blast across our region. Highs are forecast in the 30s over the weekend.