Hot conditions are expected today with highs in the low to mid 90s and heat index values between mid 90s to lower 100s. A cold front will approach the area this evening bringing the chance for severe thunderstorms. The main threats with these storms will be for damaging winds and large hail. These storms should weaken overnight as they move through western and central Missouri. Temperatures behind the front on Tuesday will be much more manageable with highs in the mid to upper 80s. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 101. East wind 8 to 14 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 68. South wind 7 to 11 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. North northwest wind around 7 mph.

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers before 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 93.