PADUCAH, Ky. – Storms are building across western Kentucky and southern Illinois Tuesday afternoon, with forecasters warning that a few could quickly turn severe and produce damaging winds. Residents from Paducah to Evansville should be prepared for sudden downpours, dangerous lightning, and gusty conditions through tonight.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop in the yellow-shaded zone over the next two to three hours. While not every community will see storms, any cells that do form may bring strong wind gusts capable of knocking down tree limbs and causing isolated power outages.
The highest risk stretches from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, east toward Madisonville, Kentucky, including Cape Girardeau, Marion, and Mount Vernon, Illinois. Drivers along Interstates 24 and 57 should be alert for rapidly changing conditions, including heavy rain reducing visibility and cloud-to-ground lightning.
Officials advise residents to stay indoors during lightning activity and avoid unnecessary travel if storms move through their area. Power crews are on standby should outages occur.
Storm chances continue this evening, with additional updates expected from the National Weather Service.
