The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for roughly five million people across Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. The watch is in force until 10 p.m. CDT this evening.
The NWS defines the watch area as cities such as Paducah, Kentucky; Jackson, Tennessee; and Memphis, Tennessee. The circumstances are ideal for severe weather, with the possibility of several tornadoes, big hail, and devastating winds. The greatest dangers include a few tornadoes, some of which might be severe, and giant hail up to two inches in diameter.
The watch includes areas where storms are predicted to develop throughout the afternoon and evening, with supercell thunderstorms forming from northern Mississippi to western Tennessee and Kentucky. Severe weather, including wind gusts of up to 75 mph (ca. 121 km/h), is expected to continue into the evening.
The NWS advises residents in these areas to stay vigilant for changing weather conditions and to be prepared to act if warnings are issued. Local authorities advise remaining indoors and having an emergency kit on hand in the event of severe weather.
The tornado watch is in effect in the following regions:
- Northeast Arkansas
- Extreme Southern Illinois
- Western Kentucky
- Southeast Missouri
- Northern Mississippi
- Western and Middle Tennessee
Residents should check local weather stations and be prepared for tornado warnings later today.
