Pleasant evening, then a big cooldown this weekend

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - Enjoy tonight — it’s another great one to be outside. Temperatures will drop into the 50s this evening, with increasing clouds after midnight keeping overnight lows in the lower to middle 40s.

Wednesday starts sunny, but clouds will move in as the day goes on. Most of the area will stay dry, but there’s a chance for a few showers and thunderstorms mainly east of the Mississippi River. If storms do develop, a few could produce small hail. Expect highs in the upper 60s and lower 70s—still pleasant for the middle of the week.

The pattern changes dramatically as we head toward the end of the week. Friday will be noticeably cooler, with highs struggling to reach only the upper 40s and lower 50s. This is a significant drop from Wednesday’s warmth.

The cold really settles in over the weekend. A hard freeze is likely across much of the Heartland, with overnight lows dropping into the middle to upper 20s. If you have plants or outdoor preparations to make, this is the time to do it.