Tracking gusty winds, strong storms Tuesday night

A cool and dry Monday evening will give way to gusty winds and warmer temperatures Tuesday afternoon, ahead of strong to severe thunderstorms forecast to develop Tuesday night.

Partly cloudy skies will prevail Monday evening, with light breezes and overnight lows falling into the low to mid 40s.

Mostly cloudy skies will return Tuesday along with gusty winds for the afternoon. Southerly winds of 20 to 30 mph could occasionally gust over 40 mph through much of Tuesday, with afternoon highs in the mid 60s.

Scattered to widespread strong storms will develop after 8 PM Tuesday and continue through the midnight hour. Any thunderstorms that develop could produce sizable hail, and damaging wind gusts. A brief tornado is also possible, although hail and high winds will be the primary hazards. Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected across much of Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas by Wednesday morning.

Skies will clear through the day Wednesday with warm temperatures lingering for the afternoon. Cooler air and rain chances will return by the end of the work week.