Strong to severe thunderstorms forecast for Mid-Missouri (May 25, 2011)

Updated at 6:55 a.m.

A strong storm system is expected to create a chance for severe weather across Mid-Missouri, mainly this afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service reports:

A strong storm system over central Kansas will slide through the region today. Thunderstorms will refire by early this afternoon with the greatest threat of severe weather over most of Missouri and Illinois. A widespread severe weather outbreak is expected by this afternoon and evening with very large hail, damaging winds, and strong tornadoes.

Take a few minutes today to review your severe weather action plan so you'll know what to do when severe weather threatens your location. In addition to severe thunderstorms, very heavy rainfall will occur over ground that is already saturated, leading to rises on area streams, creeks, and rivers. If the heaviest rainfall repeatedly falls over the same area, flash flooding may occur.

A Flash Flood Watch continues for much of central and eastern Missouri until late tonight. This means flash flooding is possible if rain develops in the watch area.

A tornado watch that originally was scheduled to expire at 8 a.m. is no longer in effect for most of the central sections of Missouri as the threatened area has moved eastward to St. Louis and eastern Missouri.

See also:

Local weather radar, severe weather advisories, forecast