Tracking a hot week with more rain chances

Good morning and happy Monday.

After a soggy stretch of weather, conditions are beginning to dry out across northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas. St. Joseph has picked up nearly 4 inches of rain over the past five days, with some locations north of the city seeing even higher rainfall totals.

A few lingering showers are possible early this morning, but most locations will trend drier as the day goes on. Temperatures are starting off in the low 70s, making for a warm and humid start to the workweek.

By lunchtime, temperatures will climb into the low to mid-80s, with humidity levels continuing to rise throughout the afternoon. While actual temperatures will reach the upper 80s, heat index values are expected to climb into the mid to upper 90s, making it feel significantly hotter.

Skies will become partly sunny through the afternoon, and most areas should remain dry through the daytime hours. A few isolated thunderstorms cannot be ruled out overnight, but widespread rainfall is not expected.

Highs today will reach near 88 degrees, several degrees above average for this time of year. The heat will continue to build through midweek, with temperatures reaching the 90s Tuesday and Wednesday. Heat index values could climb into the triple digits Tuesday afternoon.

Additional chances for showers and thunderstorms return during the latter half of the workweek and could continue into next weekend.

If you are spending time outdoors today, be sure to stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade and never leave children or pets inside a parked vehicle.