Warmer than usual Wednesday; cold temps return Thursday

Scattered showers could make area roadways hazardous for Wednesday morning commuters.

There is a 40 percent chance of showers early, according to the National Weather Service. But the rain will start to break up after 9 a.m. and skies will gradually turn from cloudy to partly sunny by the afternoon.

The high temperature will reach 60. That’s 18 degrees higher than the average high temperature for Dec. 16 in the St. Louis metropolitan area, 42. But it’s five degrees short of the record high for the date, 65, set in 1971.

Wednesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low of 30.

It will be mostly sunny but much cooler Thursday with a high of 41 and northwest winds of up to 9 mph.

Skies will be mostly sunny Thursday night with a low of 26.

Friday, it will be sunny with a high of only 40. Skies will be mostly clear with a low of 23 Friday night.

Click here for the detailed local forecast.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 6:38 AM with the headline "Warmer than usual Wednesday; cold temps return Thursday."