Local area could see foul weather tonight

Hail and damaging winds are the biggest concerns for tonight's weather forecast.

Meteorologist Robin Smith of the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, said tornadoos are not likely, but that "we can't rule them out completely."

Rain and heavy storms are expected to begin around 8 p.m., with a 90 percent chance of storms throughout the evening.

Smith said the Cape Girardeau area is in a flood watch effective from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Thursday morning.

Storms are expected to let up around 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

This spring is an unusual one for Southeast Missouri, because of the lack of tornado watches this season. There actually have been none all of March, a record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"Well, we've been off to a slow start," Smith explained of the lack of severe weather. "The biggest factor is we've been stuck in this snow pattern."

Smith also said Wednesday afternoon areas around Springfield, Missouri, were experiencing half-dollar sized hail, the same storm that is headed toward Southeast Missouri this evening.

After the storm tonight, temperatures are expected to drop significantly and stay between the high 20s and mid-40s through Sunday.