Tracking a mild Wednesday ahead of near-record heat on Thursday

TONIGHT: Mostly clear to partly cloudy with lows in the upper 40s.

TOMORROW: Mostly sunny and breezy with highs in the lower 80s.

EXTENDED: Heat continues to ramp up the next few days as upper high pressure strengthens to our west and pushes temperatures into the upper 80s to almost 90 again on Thursday. The lower atmosphere will largely be "capped" on Thursday, limited storms from developing ahead of the cold front. If the cold front slows down, it may be able to break the cap and bring a chance for a few strong storms. The conditions are more favorable for that scenario to our east across Illinois into Indiana. Mid-Missouri is currently in a 1/5 severe risk for Thursday into Thursday night. What is more likely to happen, is that elevated storms follow behind the front, posing mainly a risk for heavy downpours and small hail. Behind showers exiting Friday, it will be chillier as temperatures fall to the 50s for highs. The weekend is looking pleasant as surface high pressure returns, pushing highs back to the upper 50s on Saturday and into the 60s on Sunday. Next week is looking warmer and more active with highs in the 70s and multiple chances of rain and storms as we approach Easter.