Weather Alert Day: Line of storms brings threat for severe weather Friday

UPDATES:

Friday Afternoon Update:

Showers and storms continue to remain focused on southeastern portions of Mid-Missouri this afternoon. Hail has been the primary threat along with stronger winds. There has been some weak rotation embedded within some storms.

These showers and storms have prompted a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect until 11:00 PM for southwestern portions of Mid-Missouri and 9 PM for the northeastern half of the region. A cold front will eventually slide into the region on the back side of these storms prompting more chances for showers and storms.

BLOG:

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for the potential of severe storms on Friday.

A warm front continues to lift through Mid-Missouri tonight, pulling in warmer temperatures overnight as clouds begin to spread in. A complex of strong thunderstorms could move in early tomorrow ahead of a cold front, bringing the potential of strong winds and hail by mid-late morning. If the atmosphere can recover after the morning line, we could see a few more severe storms redevelop in the afternoon. The threat will come to an end by early evening to the southeast.

Much of Mid-Missouri is in a level 2 out of 5 severe risk via the Storm Prediction Center.

Instability is expected to increase overnight into tomorrow morning, allowing storms the fuel needed to remain strong as they track across the region. Wind shear won't be quite as strong at the low levels, so the tornado threat will be low despite a higher threat for damaging winds.

Storms look to develop early tomorrow morning to our west and move into Columbia and Jefferson City between 10-11 a.m. Once that exits, we could see a few more storms develop, and those would likely exit between 5-6 p.m. to the southeast along I-44.

If you are planning any holiday travel, make sure to have the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather App downloaded and set to follow your location so you can receive timely alerts to stay aware of severe weather on your route.