Tracking waves of rain starting Friday through Memorial Day weekend

TONIGHT: Mostly clear and chilly with lows in the lower 40s.

TOMORROW: Increasing clouds and cooler than normal with highs in the upper 60s. Showers and a few storms rolling in by early evening.

EXTENDED: Winds die down tonight, allowing temperatures to drop into the lower 40s for the start of Friday. We'll start off with sunshine tomorrow with increasing clouds throughout the day, and our next disturbance brings rain and a few rumbles of thunder by early Friday evening. This will set the stage for waves of rain over the weekend, but we'll manage some dry time in between. Saturday is looking a bit drier than previously forecast, so we may get some time outside despite the cooler temperatures. However, rain and storms ramp back up late Saturday into Sunday, with the most widespread rain Sunday into Monday. Consistent showers and clouds will keep highs in the lower 60s on Sunday and Monday. Severe weather chances are looking low, but we could see a few storms with isolated small to quarter size hail as far north as the Lake of the Ozarks on Saturday night near the warm front. Rain amounts will be around 1-1.5" near Columbia, with higher amounts farther south. A Flood Watch is in effect from Friday night through Monday night for our counties along and south of Highway 50. 2-3" plus is expected over the 3-day period. Significant river rises aren't expected in Mid-Missouri despite the rounds of rain.