Tracking a gloomy Thursday, rain chances this evening

Good morning and happy Thursday!

Another comfortable morning is underway across northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas. Temperatures are starting in the upper 60s with light northeast winds, making it a few degrees warmer than Wednesday morning but still pleasant for mid-summer.

Clouds will continue to increase today as another weather system approaches from the south. Like yesterday, a few spotty showers or sprinkles may try to develop, but dry air near the surface will make it difficult for much of the rain to reach the ground. As a result, most locations are expected to remain dry through the daytime hours.

High temperatures will top out near 80 degrees this afternoon under mostly cloudy skies, making for another cool and comfortable day before summer heat returns.

The better chance for measurable rainfall arrives late tonight and continues through Friday morning. Periods of showers, and possibly a few thunderstorms, are expected to move through the region before tapering off Friday afternoon. Locally heavy rainfall is possible, and if heavier rain develops over the same locations, isolated flash flooding cannot be ruled out.

Behind the rain, temperatures will warm quickly this weekend. Highs climb back into the low 90s Saturday and the middle to upper 90s by Sunday. Combined with increasing humidity, heat index values could approach 110 degrees Sunday, making for dangerous heat across the region.

Enjoy the cooler weather today before the return of widespread rain Friday and much hotter conditions this weekend and into next week.