Tracking Friday heat and weekend rain & t-storm chances

Hot and mostly dry weather will continue across St. Joseph and northwest Missouri Friday before showers and thunderstorms return this weekend.

Temperatures will climb into the lower 90s Friday afternoon under mostly sunny skies. Increasing humidity and southerly winds will make it feel warmer, but most of the area is expected to stay dry.

The weather pattern changes Saturday as a system moves across the Plains. A few showers and thunderstorms could develop during the morning and afternoon, with storm chances increasing into Saturday evening as a cold front approaches.

Some storms could become strong to severe, with damaging winds and large hail possible. Heavy rain will also be a concern, especially in areas that have received significant rainfall recently.

Most locations could see around a half-inch of rain through the weekend, although locally higher amounts are possible.

The cold front will move through Sunday, bringing a noticeable change in temperatures. Highs will fall into the 70s, with additional chances for showers early in the day.

Cooler weather will continue into next week, with highs mainly in the upper 60s and lower 70s Tuesday and Wednesday.

The cooler pattern will provide a break from the above-average temperatures that have dominated much of September.