Showers to bring relief to drought-hit regions this week

ST. LOUIS – Widespread showers and storms are expected through the overnight hours as activity expands from northeast Oklahoma. A few storms this evening will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts.

That energy might stay confined to northeast Missouri and west central Illinois but will taper as the sun sets and instability drops off. Rainfall through early Monday morning should top out around one to two inches, with two-plus inches possible locally.

It's been a long time since we've seen rain like this since early July. With dry soil in place, this will relieve a lot of drought-stricken areas. This activity tapers Monday morning, as the zone of focus shifts further southeast. Coverage in rain should lessen by Monday afternoon, with scattered activity expected to remain in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.

Monday night will be dry and cloudy for the most part, before another wave of rain and storms arrives from the Plains area by Tuesday afternoon. This will carry itself into Wednesday morning as the widespread rain becomes more scattered.

Temperatures will be below normal this week, as highs respond to the added cloud cover and cool rain. Monday through Friday will only be warm in the 70s through the afternoons and overnight lows in the 60s. The wet weather moves out Thursday night, with dry time to come for next weekend.