Southeastern Missouri – An area of thunderstorms has been moving slowly east over southeastern Missouri since the Fourth of July, bringing heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding through early Friday morning.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Paducah, Kentucky, reports that while the storms may briefly become severe, producing gusty winds and possibly damaging conditions, there is very little to no tornado threat associated with this storm front.
According to the NWS, these storms have been producing heavy rainfall and may lead to flash flooding if they linger over any one area for an extended period. Gusty winds are also expected, although only one or two storms may briefly become severe with the capability of causing damage. A flood warning was issued last night for areas of the state.
The flood warning, in effect since 10:43 PM CDT on July 4, affects multiple locations along the Mississippi River, including St. Louis, Alton, and Chester. River forecasts are based on observed and forecast precipitation for the next 24 hours. Minor flooding is forecast, with the river expected to rise above flood stage late this evening, reaching a crest of 34.7 feet by Saturday evening. The flood warning extends until Friday, July 12, impacting areas such as St. Clair, IL; St. Louis, MO; and St. Louis City, MO.
This storm activity is anticipated to move eastward, impacting the rest of the quad-state region through early Friday morning. However, the primary concerns remain heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding.
Looking ahead, the weather in Paducah, Kentucky, shows a cloudy start to Friday with temperatures around 75°F, rising to a high of 88°F. The daily forecast indicates a 65% chance of rain today, with conditions expected to clear by Saturday, bringing sunshine and temperatures around 87°F. The remainder of the week sees mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, with temperatures ranging from the mid-80s to low 90s. By Wednesday, there is another chance of rain with temperatures cooling slightly to 83°F.
