Nashville, TN — A tornado watch has been issued for nearly five million people across portions of Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee, according to the National Weather Service. The watch is in effect until 10 PM CDT this evening.
According to the NWS, the watch area includes cities such as Paducah, Kentucky, Jackson, Tennessee, and Memphis, Tennessee. The conditions are favorable for severe weather, including the potential for several tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. The primary threats include a few tornadoes, with some potentially being intense, and large hail, potentially up to two inches in diameter.
The watch covers areas where storm activity is expected to develop throughout the afternoon and evening, with supercell thunderstorms forming from northern Mississippi to western Tennessee and Kentucky. Severe weather conditions, including wind gusts reaching up to 75 mph, are likely to continue through the evening.
The NWS advises residents in these areas to stay alert to changing weather conditions and be prepared to take action if warnings are issued. Local authorities recommend staying indoors and having an emergency kit on hand in case of severe weather.
The tornado watch is in effect for the following regions:
- Northeast Arkansas
- Extreme Southern Illinois
- Western Kentucky
- Southeast Missouri
- Northern Mississippi
- Western and Middle Tennessee
Residents should monitor local weather stations and be prepared for possible tornado warnings later today.
