Tracking a warmer and windy Wednesday ahead of late week storms

TONIGHT: Mostly clear and cold, lows near 40. Patchy frost possible north.

TOMORROW: Partly cloudy with gusty winds and low relative humidity, increasing the fire risk again. Highs near 70.

EXTENDED: Areas of patchy frost are possible north of I-70 where temperatures could drop to the upper 30s by dawn, but we'll have a warmer day as a warm front lifts to the north. Gusts could reach the 25-30 mph range during the day as highs get to near 70. A few showers will be possible near the front, but much of the day is dry. As low level winds ramp up on Wednesday night, scattered thunderstorms will be possible across northern Missouri, particularly north of I-70 through Thursday morning. A few of those storms could bring isolated hail and heavy downpours. With that front to our north most of the day, we'll be warm and breezy with highs just under 80 on Thursday. The best chance of storms on Thursday night looks to stay north of Highway 24. Friday is warm and windy with highs near 80 ahead of a cold front that could bring storms by early evening. Those storms could bring the potential of large hail and a few strong wind gusts. The cold front will eventually stall to our south and become stationary near or just south of I-44 with several disturbances riding along the boundary into the weekend. That will set us up for a soggy holiday weekend, with rounds of rain between Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The highest amounts will be focused south of I-70, where 2-3" of total rainfall is expected.