Insider Blog: Severe storms possible for the next few hours

A Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch is in effect until 11:00 PM for areas along and south of the Missouri River. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing up to baseball size hail, 70-75 mph winds, and tornadoes are possible, especially near the Lake of the Ozarks and I-44.

The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded areas south of I-70 into a level 3 out of 5 severe risk with a level 4 (red) for areas along I-44.

A cold front is interacting with a volatile atmosphere with tons of instability and plenty of low level wind shear for updrafts to grow quickly and become severe.

Most storms will gradually work east as they develop, with much of the threat pushing south of I-44 by 7-8:00 p.m.

Make sure you have a way to receive alerts over the next few hours, especially if you plan to be outside. Download the free ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather app and make sure you have notifications set to your location to get those automatic warnings.