Tracking warmer air before late-week rain

TODAY: Mostly sunny skies are forecast, with highs in the 80s. Winds are southerly around 10 mph. Despite a warmer day with a southerly wind, dew points remain low.

TONIGHT: Overnight, clouds will increase in the west, bringing a slight chance of showers. Humidity will also increase in the west.

EXTENDED: Most will stay dry through Wednesday morning. Some showers will be possible to start the day, but it's just clouds for most. Highs reach into the mid-80s again on Wednesday, with more southerly wind. Humidity will also be slightly higher, but not much of a heat index is forecast. At most, some will feel like the low 90s. Rain will likely move in for most of Thursday, the wettest day in the forecast. Rain lasts into Friday for many. Scattered showers and storms will bring potential for 1-3 inches over the two days. The greatest totals are likely in areas like Brunswick, Fayette, Moberly, and Sedalia. Here, 2+ inches are more likely. In areas near I-44, like Linn, Rolla, and Vienna, totals are likely closer to an inch or so. On Friday, we'll slowly dry up, with clouds lingering well into Saturday. Exactly how this evolves will play a big role in temperatures, but after 70s on Thursday, it's likely that we drop highs into the 60s on Friday and Saturday. More sunshine is forecast by Sunday.