Tracking light am showers & cooler temps

Good morning and happy Thursday.

Temperatures are starting off in the middle 60s this morning after a cold front moved through the region Wednesday. Fortunately, the front brought cooler temperatures to northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas without the widespread severe weather that impacted areas farther south.

A few isolated showers are possible through the early morning hours, but rainfall chances remain low at just 10% to 20%. Most locations, especially south of U.S. Highway 36, are expected to stay dry throughout the day.

High temperatures this afternoon will only reach the upper 70s to low 80s, making for a pleasant and comfortable summer day. Sunshine will increase through the afternoon as drier air settles into the region.

Temperatures quickly warm back into the middle and upper 80s on Friday under mostly sunny skies. The next significant chance for rain arrives Saturday evening and continues into early Sunday morning as another storm system moves through the area.

In addition to thunderstorm chances, both Saturday and Sunday have been highlighted for a slight risk of excessive rainfall, meaning there is an elevated potential for localized flash flooding. Current projections suggest rainfall totals of one-half inch to 2 inches, with the heaviest amounts likely south of Highway 36 and closer to the Kansas City metro and the Interstate 70 corridor.

We will continue to monitor both rainfall totals and any flooding concerns as we head into the weekend.

After the system exits, temperatures cool back into the low 80s Sunday and remain in the upper 70s to low 80s early next week. Conditions look dry Monday and Tuesday before additional rain chances return late Tuesday into Wednesday.