St. Louis, Missouri – A powerful storm system is projected to unleash severe thunderstorms across a vast area spanning from the Lower Ohio Valley to the Texarkana region, impacting several states like Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has issued warnings for potential storms with the risk of hail, damaging winds, and flooding, although the likelihood of tornadoes cannot be completely ruled out in specific high-risk areas.
Meteorologist Steve Bender from FOX Weather has identified St. Louis, Tennessee, and parts of western Kentucky as areas most at risk for severe weather. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for central and southern Illinois, southeast Kansas, and central and southern Missouri, including major cities like St. Louis and Springfield, with the conditions forecasted to last until 8 p.m. CDT.
Additionally, Severe Thunderstorm Watches have been extended to cover regions like eastern Oklahoma, western Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas through the evening. The movement of a cold front, coupled with recent heavy rainfall, raises concerns for potential flooding, particularly in the Ohio Valley where rivers and streams are near capacity.
As a testament to the relentless onslaught of severe weather, some areas along the Ohio River have experienced recurrent flooding due to the erratic weather patterns. The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning after sighting a tornado in Greenfield, Illinois, as the storm cell moved eastward. Similarly, other towns in the Midwest have witnessed strong winds and hail causing damage.
The aftermath of the storm systems will bring an infusion of cold air, resulting in unseasonably chilly temperatures for mid-April across many regions. From the Plains to the Gulf Coast, a marked drop in temperatures is expected to be felt, with cities like Chicago experiencing conditions well below average. By the following week, the cooler air mass will continue to spread along the Gulf Coast, offering relief from the turbulent weather patterns experienced in recent days.