The National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Paducah warned in a virtual press conference Sunday that damaging winds are likely this evening in southern Illinois, southeast Missouri and far western Kentucky, with the possibility of tornadoes.
The NWS predicts thunderstorms will move into southeast Missouri between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. CT, moving east later this evening and early Monday morning. Strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and tornadoes are possible.
“There are already storms trying to form out in western parts of Missouri, and that’s what [the NWS] is concerned about by getting that watch out before stuff gets going,” said Christine Wielgos, acting warning coordination meteorologist and lead forecaster for the Paducah NWS.
The surface low is expected to move across northern Missouri into Illinois tonight and bring a strong cold front through the area. The greatest threat for large hail will be across parts of southeast Missouri, with lesser chances further east.
The overall storm intensity is expected to somewhat decrease as it moves into southeast Indiana and other parts of western Kentucky overnight.
