Tracking near-record temps this afternoon

THIS AFTERNOON: Sunny and near-record-hot, with highs in the mid-90s. Columbia's record high from 1899 is 95 degrees. Southwest winds at 5 to 15 mph.

TONIGHT: Increasing chances for storms, with the first storms arriving in the northwest this evening in places like Macon, Brunswick, and Marshall. A few storms may be capable of producing small hail and strong winds up to 60 mph. Storms weaken as they spread southeast overnight. Temperatures remain mild in the low 70s to upper 60s.

EXTENDED: Expect a wet commute Wednesday morning, especially along and south of I-70. Rain lightens somewhat during the day, but a few showers remain possible. Rain chances pick back up again Wednesday evening into Thursday as a front stalls over the area, leading to continued showers through Thursday. The front finally clears the area by Friday, delivering between 1 to 3 inches of rain over much of the area. Highs drop to the 70s under the rain on Wednesday and Thursday, with even cooler temperatures late week. Temperatures remain in the 60s with sunny skies this weekend, and our first chance of frost comes Saturday morning with lows in the 30s.