Area could see strong storms today

Showers in the area today may give way to several rounds of severe weather expected through this evening.

The National Weather Service on Wednesday placed much of Southeast Missouri in a "slight risk" category for severe weather, which indicates that scattered severe storms are possible. Storms that may occur are expected to be short-lived and not widespread, according to the service, though isolated intense storms are possible and could produce one or two tornadoes, damaging winds and hail up to 1 inch in diameter.

To the west and north, from south central Missouri to north of St. Louis and hundreds of miles west into Oklahoma and Kansas, worse weather is forecast. That area, which includes a northwestern corner of Cape Girardeau County, the western half of Perry County and the northern third of Bollinger County, is under an "enhanced risk" for severe weather, which indicates numerous severe storms that are more "persistent and widespread" are possible, with a few even reaching an "intense" level.

A few tornadoes and damaging hail up to 2 inches in diameter is possible in the area under an enhanced risk, according to the weather service. Southern Illinois and portions of Indiana are included in the "enhanced" area.

An area of northern Oklahoma, southeastern Kansas and western to central Missouri also was placed under a "moderate" risk, which indicates severe storms are likely and carry chances for strong tornadoes, destructive winds and hail larger than 2 inches in diameter.

Locally, heavy rain is a concern for much of the area, according to the weather service's most recent hazardous weather outlook report.

The strongest chance for the Cape Girardeau area to experience severe storms looks to be this afternoon into evening, according to a weather service meteorologist and the latest forecast.

Severe-weather blasts came through the area late in March, bringing strong winds, heavy downpours and hail to Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3632