Weather service issues tornado watch

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Southeast Missouri.

"The watch is from Dexter and Jackson eastward," said Kevin Smith, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Paducah, Ky., office.

A watch indicates the possibility that tornadoes will develop. A warning means a tornado is imminent.

"The potential is still there. By early evening, any concern for Southeast Missouri will probably be over," he said.

Missouri counties under the tornado watch, which will expire at 11 p.m., are Cape Girardeau, Scott, New Madrid, Dunklin, Mississippi, Pemiscot and Stoddard.

The National Weather Service is predicting a "moderate risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening" in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Wayne, Carter, Ripley, Butler, Stoddard, Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid counties.

Those counties are under a strong wind advisory until 6 p.m.

Sustained winds of 30 miles an hour or greater, with gusts exceeding 45 miles an hour, are expected. Such high winds can cause power outages from tree limbs and other objects falling on power lines. The winds can also damage weakened buildings and make driving difficult.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127