Temperatures cooler today, with high winds and chance of showers tonight

Because of strong northwest winds on Thursday, the National Weather Service discourages open burning. The minimum humidity will be around 42 percent. (National Weather Service graphic)
On Friday night and Saturday morning, the low could be below freezing in Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)

Today’s forecast from the National Weather Service calls for a high near 50, with high winds and a 20 percent chance of showers tonight.

Temperatures will drop to a low of 34 tonight, and on Friday night, it will be freezing, with a low around 28, the weather service said.

A hard freeze is forecast for Saturday morning, and residents who have sensitive outdoor vegetation should make plans to protect them from the freezing temperatures, according to the weather service.

Temperatures will rise to the mid-70s on Sunday.

Strong northwest winds will continue on Thursday, gusting as high as 40 mph, the weather service said. Relative humidity will improve to 40 to 50 percent for Thursday. Rapid fire growth is still possible, given the wind speeds, so outdoor burning is still discouraged, according to the weather service. Winds are expected to decrease to 20 to 30 mph for Friday.

The weather service said there are increasing chances for strong thunderstorms in the early to middle part of next week. Rain is in the forecast each day from Sunday night through Wednesday.

Today, there will be increasing clouds, with a high near 50, the weather service said. A northwest wind of 16 to 25 mph may gust as high as 40 mph.

Tonight, there is a 20 percent chance of showers before midnight, according to the weather service. The low will be around 34. A northwest wind of 14 to 18 mph will gust as high as 33 mph.

Friday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 49, the weather service said. A northwest wind of 15 to 18 mph will gust as high as 29 mph.

Friday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 28, according to the weather service. A northwest wind of 5 to 11 mph will gust as high as 18 mph.

Saturday, it will be sunny, with a high near 61, the weather service said. A light and variable wind will become northwest around 6 mph in the morning.

Saturday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 43, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 76, the weather service said.

Sunday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m., with a low of 50, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 70, the weather service said.

Monday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers, with a low of 51, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers, with a high near 77, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers with a low of 58, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers with a high near 73, the weather service said.