Severe storms moving in by 3PM Saturday

As we approach the severe weather we have been tracking all week, confidence is the severity of these storms continue to increase throughout the Saturday morning hours. The benefit to the hours before severe hits is that we get a better idea of what to expect.

Wind is the primary threat with gusts capable of reaching 70 to 80 mph. According to the Beaufort wind scale, winds up to 70 mph can cause widespread structural damage. Power outages are likely due to excessive tree limb damage.

Make sure to secure any loose items outside and bring in outside articles that could blow away.

Hail is the next threat. Areas to the west of US 63 and south of I-70 will see the brunt of the hail threat with hail that could reach baseball size. That’s around 2.75 inches in diameter. Hail that reaches this size could lead to roof damage and could inflict serious injury if someone is caught outside during the hail event. The rest of Mid-Missouri could see up to golf ball sized hail.

Hail of this size could lead to vehicle damage if not housed under appropriate cover. If you have a safe place to put your car during the time from 3PM to 11PM, it might save you money on potential hail damage.

The last, but certainly not least, severe threat is the chance for a few tornadoes to develop across the area. Due to enough change in wind direction with height, moisture, and lift, tornadoes have all of the necessary ingredients to develop.

Under a Moderate Risk for severe weather, strong tornadoes are extremely likely. Counties under the Moderate Risk include areas along and to the south of I-70. Under an Enhanced Risk for severe weather, a few tornadoes are likely to develop. This risk includes counties to the north of I-70.

The bulk of the severe weather will exist for areas along and to the south of I-70, but counties in our northern viewing area do have the chance to see severe weather as well. The chance for a severe thunderstorm to develop cannot be ruled out. Even a strong thunderstorm can be dangerous if you are not properly sheltered.

There are several resources that you have available to stay weather aware for the beginning of your holiday weekend.

Make sure to download the ABC17 Stormtrack Weather App available for both Android and Apple devices. You’ll find the newest updates there as well as an interactive radar to track storms. We will also have live streaming coverage of the severe weather as well as keeping our ABC17 News Facebook page and the ABC17 Stormtrack Twitter page constantly updated live with the newest details on the severe weather.