Tracking a hot Tuesday ahead of strong storms

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy and mild with lows in the upper 60s. Gusty winds up to 25 mph out of the south.

TOMORROW: Warm and breezy with highs in the upper 80s. Winds could gust to 30 mph. Storms developing by early evening with hail and damaging winds possible.

EXTENDED: Warm, humid air has moved into Mid-Missouri ahead of a strong system to our west that has increased upper level winds. A layer of warmer air just above the surface has kept storms from popping up on Monday, despite the amount of instability and high dew points present. We'll remain dry Monday night into Tuesday, with similar but warmer conditions setting up on Tuesday. Wind shear looks a bit more favorable, and we'll have a bit more forcing with the cold front nearby to trigger strong storms with the potential for damaging winds and large hail by early to late evening. Overnight, storms will lose strength, but rain may be ongoing on Wednesday morning. The presence of cloud cover and rain on Wednesday morning may impact the scope of severe storm potential on Wednesday afternoon and evening, but stronger winds aloft could overcome those limiting factors to bring a line of storms with damaging winds and hail by early evening. That front will lift to the north on Thursday, allowing warm air to stick around through Friday as we climb back into the 80s. By Friday night, another cold front approaches, bringing the potential for more severe storms and a cool down by the weekend as we drop into the 60s. Rain amounts for the week will range between 1-2" area-wide.