Weather Alert Day: Storms with heavy rain and damaging winds possible on Thursday

Thursday Noon Update

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for the southern half of Mid-MO through 8 p.m. Thursday for the threat of high winds and large hail. Isolated severe storms have already fired up in western Missouri today.

The ABC Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for the potential of severe storms on Thursday, especially for communities south of I-70.

SETUP:

Strong low level winds are pushing moisture in and increasing instability across the region into this afternoon as low pressure tracks into our area. Storms will develop along and ahead of an accompanying cold front today.

TIMING:

Storms look to develop early in the morning and move into our northwestern counties between Brunswick and Macon by 7-9 a.m. Storms arrive in Columbia and Jefferson City around midday, and then near the Lake and I-44 between 2-4:00 p.m.

IMPACTS:

Storms will form into a fast-moving line that brings the potential of damaging 60 mph winds, isolated quarter-size hail, and high rainfall rates. The tornado threat is low, but not zero. That risk will be highest near I-44.

PREPARE:

Make sure you have a way to get alerts in the morning before you head out the door. The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather App will send those notifications to your location; you can download it for free here.