Grab an umbrella on the way out — showers and thunderstorms are expected to arrive early this afternoon in Lawrence, says Jennifer Schack, 6News meteorologist.

“The cold front is heading into our direction,” Schack said. “It’s still just off to the west of us. . . . The front should push in between noon and 1 p.m., with precipitation following it and lasting through the afternoon.”

At 8 a.m., the temperature was 71 degrees in Lawrence, with the humidity at 79 percent and winds from the south at 14 mph.

“The cold front is heading in our direction, but maybe a little bit slower than anticipated,” Schack said. Today’s high temperature will reach 77 between noon and 1 p.m. When the front arrives, the temperature will fall off to 60 degrees by 6 p.m. Winds will be out of the north this afternoon, at 10 to 20 mph, Schack said.

The chance for thunderstorms falls through the evening, with dry conditions expected after midnight, she said.

Overnight, the temperature falls to a low of 38 degrees by early Thursday morning, Schack said. Thursday’s high will be 56 degrees, with winds out of the north at 8-15 mph.

Friday’s morning low will be 33 degrees, rising to 57 in the afternoon.