Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9:00 p.m. for all of Southern Illinois

 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Southern Illinois Southern Indiana Western and Central Kentucky Southeast Missouri Northern Tennessee * Effective this Saturday afternoon and evening from 135 PM until 900 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include… Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 80 mph possible Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter possible A tornado or two possible

SUMMARY…Scattered thunderstorms are forming across the watch area this afternoon, while other and more intense storms move in from Missouri. Large hail and damaging winds are possible with the biggest storms. The risk of widespread damaging winds will develop later today over parts of the area. The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 85 statute miles north and south of a line from 45 miles west of Cape Girardeau MO to 15 miles north of London KY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes.