A line of severe storms will be traveling through southeast Missouri this afternoon as well as throughout the evening. There does not appear to be any risk of tornadoes as of yet.
According to Keith Cooley, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky., the bootheeel area will likely see strong thunderstorms as well as some possible hail as the line of storms advances through the region.
“According to the models we have right now, it is super cell activity, but not for tornadoes,” Cooley noted. “The biggest hazard likely for the area would be damaging high winds and hail.”
Cooley noted that the conditions are forecast to be more harsh because of the increasing dew point coupled with a cold front that will be meeting the storm line.
“There will be plenty of moisture there for the storms to fire on,” Cooley remarked.
Cooley went on to say that the storm line should pass through the area throughout the afternoon and most of the evening, and will travel through southern Illinois and Western Kentucky. Forecast radar models show the storms moving east and further north through the later hours.