Yesterday, strong southwest winds raked central Missouri, a sign that change was on its way. That change arrived late in the evening when a line of strong thunderstorms unleashed intense lightning and heavy rain.
Thunder rolled throughout the night, indicating that the cold front had not moved off to the east. Indeed, the storm front has become a stationary front, stretching across the Midwest. Separating mild, humid air to its south from cold, dry air to its north, this front will spawn thunderstorms and showers over the next four days (at least). Since the soil is still relatively cold and the trees are just beginning to transpire moisture, widespread flooding is likely.
On the other hand, the nocturnal thunder was both soothing and promising, a sign that spring has arrived in the Heartland. Raw days may lie ahead but the higher sun and restless jet stream will thaw the soil and ignite the feverish growth of the season.
