Tracking a warmer next few days before rain returns

TONIGHT: Mostly clear and comfortable with lows in the upper 50s to near 60.

TOMORROW: Mostly sunny and breezy toward the end of the day with highs in the lower to mid-80s.

EXTENDED: We'll remain mainly clear overnight with lows dropping to near 60, but expect a warmer two days as upper and surface winds shift to the south/southwest, pulling in warmer and more moist air to the region. We'll top out in the lower to mid-80s tomorrow with some locations getting into the mid-upper 80s on Wednesday even as clouds filter in. Rain looks to hold off until late Wednesday night ahead of a cold front that will draw moisture in from the southwest, leading to meaningful rain through Friday. The wettest day will be Thursday, with rain keeping temperatures in the lower to mid-70s during the day. Amounts between late Wednesday night and Friday will be around 2". Severe weather is not expected, but there may be some lingering showers along with cloud cover on Friday, keeping temperatures in the upper 60s to around 70 behind the front, which is projected to be across southern Missouri by afternoon. Given that the front will be south of us over the weekend with stronger high pressure over the Great Lakes to our northeast, I'm leaning toward a largely dry but cloudy forecast for Saturday with highs hovering around 70. Next week looks comfortable with fall like temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s for the first full week of October.