**Sweltering Heat Followed by Risk of Strong to Severe Storms** Temperatures early this afternoon are well into the 90s for metro STL and points southwest. The temperature map is from 2:00 pm. The combination of hot temperatures with higher humidity has pushed heat index values to 100+ across much of the area. The hot and humid air is fueling up the atmosphere for what should be an active period of thunderstorms late this afternoon into early tonight. The first batch of storms is forming up over northern Missouri right now and does not appear to be severe. These non-severe storms will affect areas northwest of STL through 4pm. Of greater concern will be more robust storm development along the MO/IA state-line after 5pm. These storms will organize quickly into a fast moving line of storms that will sweep out of northern Missouri into southern/central Illinois. The greatest risk of severe storms will be in the orange zone…roughly along and north of a line from Troy, MO...to Jerseyville, IL…to near Vandalia. This is a zone of enhanced severe potential with damaging winds of 70+ mph and very large hail along with a couple of tornadoes possible. Further south…in the yellow zone…covering the metro STL area and points south…there is a risk of strong to severe storms as well...although the strength and coverage of storms is a more uncertain. Timing for the strongest storms appears to range in a broad period sometime between 6pm and midnight. More specific timing will become clearer once the storms actually begin to fire-up. Until then, enjoy the sunshine, stay cool and keep an eye to the sky for possible quick moving storms late this evening.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 19:04:19 +0000
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