Tracking a blustery afternoon, strong storms tonight

THIS AFTERNOON: Partly sunny and warm with highs around 80 degrees. Winds from the south will be strong at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph possible.

TONIGHT: An ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Alert Day is in effect for the threat of strong to severe storms Thursday night. Storms are expected to move in before midnight and spread east, weakening with time. Damaging winds and a possible tornado will be our primary threats, especially along and west of Hwy 63, where a 2/5 risk is in place from the Storm Prediction Center. Up to 1-1.5" of rain is possible overnight.

EXTENDED: Rain exits early Friday, and most of the day is dry and mild in the 70s. However, a cold front will stall near I-44, and may produce isolated storms again Friday afternoon and evening. Saturday is looking like the pick day of the weekend to be outside as highs reach the lower 70s with more sunshine. Storm chances will increase again on Sunday as severe weather is possible across the eastern Plains during the day. Showers and storms are likely between Sunday night and Monday, and another cold front works across the region between Monday morning and afternoon. Another 1-1.5" of rain will be possible through early next week.