Storms returned to parts of the area Thursday as a backdoor cool front drops in from the northeast. Temperatures ahead of the front were some of the hottest of the year so far with Springfield hitting 89° (warmest reading this year). A few clusters of showers and thunderstorms developed with a broad zone that marks the frontal boundary and will continue to serve as a focus Thursday and Friday.

There is an isolated chance for rain showers overnight tonight with most spots staying dry. Temperatures tonight will be in the low to mid-60s with winds from the northeast around 5 to 10 mph. Thursday will see an additional chance for more scattered showers and storms as the boundary continues to crawl southwest. The better rain chance Thursday will likely be in northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri and west-central Missouri with most activity occurring near and west of Highway 65.

Friday looks dry under partly cloudy skies paired with winds from the southeast at 5 to 15 mph. Temperatures Friday will be in the low to mid-80s.

Another front will drop into the area this weekend causing spotty shower and thunderstorm chances to return Saturday afternoon, however, better chances are setting up for Saturday evening into Sunday as the front slowly drops south. Saturday will be warm in the mid-80s with highs Sunday struggling to reach 80°.

Little to no severe weather is expected through the weekend, but may head to the highest levels in weeks as the next cold front drops through the area around the middle of next week. The reason is stronger winds in the atmosphere. Wind shear is a key ingredient in severe weather potential and it looks like an abnormally high amount may develop with next week’s storm.

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