In recent decades, the Atlantic has been warming at record rates, helping hurricanes explode into powerhouses.

Hurricane Erin has undergone a period of astonishingly rapid intensification — a phenomenon that has become far more common in recent years as the planet warms. It was a rare Category 5 on Saturday before weakening,

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue through Tuesday, with locally heavy rainfall posing the primary weather concern. Some areas may see precipitation rates up to an inch per hour, potentially causing localized flooding.

Meteorologists are monitoring two disturbances behind Hurricane Erin that could strengthen into tropical storms this week.

The next front slamming through this weekend is being pushed by a MAJOR trough digging into the eastern half of the country. Highs in the 70s with lows, at least, reaching the 50s will be common for the first half of next week.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Thousands woke to the rumbles of thunder early Thursday as storms rolled through the metro. Gusty winds down trees and power lines, causing thousands of power outages at times between 5 - 7 a.m.

Things quiet down once we get into Tuesday night. Showers and storms move out, skies begin to clear, and lows dip to about 67 degrees. A shift in the wind out of the north will actually help dry us out a little, giving us a break from the humidity heading into Thursday.

Strong downburst winds were reported as this severe thunderstorm swept through in the early hours of Tuesday morning.