Windy, high near 81 today

Photo by Steve Rupert

Windy weather is in the forecast for Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Elevated fire weather conditions exist today because of lower relative humidity and southwest winds gusting to 29 mph, the weather service said.

There is a slight chance of showers late this afternoon and evening along and north of I-70, according to the weather service. No severe weather is expected.

A strong upper trough moving through the northern Plains early this morning will dive southeast into the upper Midwest through the day today, the weather service said.

Its associated surface front extends southward through central Nebraska and into northwestern Kansas. As the trough dives southeast, the cold front will push southeastward through the area from late this morning through late this afternoon, according to the weather service.

Residents may see an increase in mid and high clouds ahead of the cold front. Winds will promptly switch from the southwest to the northwest as the front moves through, the weather service said.

As the saturation in the mid-levels lowers, there is a small chance for light rain showers to develop. However, it’s more likely to be dry in the Kansas City metro area, according to the weather service, although there could be a few light rain showers.

After the cold front moves through, Saturday’s high will be near normal at 78, the weather service said. Then, temperatures will rise to about 90 on Sunday and Monday, about 10 to 15 degrees higher than normal.

Today, it will be partly sunny with a high near 81 and a south southwest wind of 11 to 18 mph, becoming west in the afternoon, the weather service said. Winds may gust as high as 29 mph.

Tonight, there is a 20 percent chance of showers before 10 p.m., according to the weather service. Mostly cloudy skies in the early evening will give way to a gradual clearing, with a low of 54 and a north wind of 5 to 9 mph.

Saturday, it will be sunny, with a high near 78 and a calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be clear, with a low of 60 and a south wind of 3 to 6 mph, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be sunny, with a high near 90 and a south southwest wind of 8 to 14 mph, gusting as high as 25 mph, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be clear, with a low of 68, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be sunny, with a high near 90, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 65, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, it will be sunny, with a high near 89, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 65, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers, with a high near 84, the weather service said.

Wednesday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers, with a low of 63, according to the weather service.

Thursday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers, with a high near 82, the weather service said.