This afternoon, a potent cold front pushed across Missouri, igniting showers and thunderstorms. It is the leading edge of a broad atmospheric trough that has brought autumn temperatures to most of the Western U.S. and is now expanding eastward.
Though our recent weather has been relatively mild, devoid of the heat and humidity that characterize a Midwestern summer, this change is especially abrupt, reinforcing the fact that glorious October is just a few days in the future. Rain-cooled air will be replaced by dry, Canadian air as the front moves east of Missouri and we expect afternoon highs in the 60s F and lows in the 40s F for the next week.
Of course, the dividing line between seasons is rarely so distinct and time will tell if summer has truly given up its reign. But longer nights and a lower sun angle will make that recovery unlikely and it seems safe to turn off the AC for now; besides, natural cooling is always preferable.
