Severe threat downgraded to marginal

by Steve Dunford

The Storm Prediction Center has downgraded the threat for severe thunderstorms from slight (level 2) to marginal (level 1) for today.

There is a line of storms approaching the area quickly.  With these, there will be frequent lightning and some heavy downpours.

There will be widespread showers and thunderstorms in the region today, with embedded heavy downpours. Severe weather might come into play if the atmosphere becomes unstable in the late afternoon and early evening hours.  This would be if it would clear off, and we would have peeks of the sun.

The SPC was very close to issuing a Tornado Watch for the overnight hours for Southern Illinois.  They backed off after the line of storms that prompted some tornado warnings to be issued in Western and Central Missouri.

I will be monitoring updates from the SPC every few hours.  If the situation changes, I will give another update.

Below is the hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Numerous thunderstorms are expected today and early tonight, and isolated thunderstorms may reach severe levels. The primary hazards will be damaging winds and large hail. Locally heavy rain will accompany some storms, with the possibility of flooding in a few locations.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Sunday through Friday There is a small chance of thunderstorms Tuesday and Tuesday night. The primary concern with these storms is lightning.