WEATHER ALERT DAY: Severe storms may impact the region Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday and Thursday are ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Alert Days; the team will be tracking the potential for severe storms both evenings.

SETUP:

At the top of the atmosphere, ridging (or high pressure) will allow heat and humidity to build while also introducing chances of storms nearly every day. So far, heat and humidity haven't lived up to expectations, so confidence is low in any more potential for extreme heat indexes of 100°+. Wednesday and Thursday will both be hot and humid, though, before storm chances show up each evening.

TIMING:

We expect storms to develop across Missouri by midday, but the strongest storms appear to be confined almost entirely north of mid-Missouri. It's not until later in the afternoon and early evening that more organized storms are likely to enter our region.

Then, on Thursday, another area of low pressure approaches. This time, it will bring a cold front and greater storm coverage sometime late in the day and into the evening.

IMPACTS:

Dangerous heat will be the main impact on Wednesday, but if storms develop in mid-Missouri on Wednesday, a few could present a hail and damaging wind threat.

Our main concern for Thursday will be the increased chance of severe storms across more of the region, and greater intensity in the Level 3 region. Threats include hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.