Multiple rounds of severe storms will move across the Ohio and Tennessee valleys through tonight, with more scattered activity also possible in the Mid-Atlantic.
A large area of low pressure will lumber into the western Great Lakes, ushering a trailing cold front across the Ohio and Tennessee valleys as well as the Lower Mississippi Valley and northeastern Texas. Widespread thunderstorms will develop along and ahead of this front, with the greatest concentration of storms just south of the storm system's center.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for eastern Kentucky, western Virginia, far northeastern Tennessee, far northwestern North Carolina, and southern West Virginia. Beckley and Bluefield, W. Va., London and Jackson, Ky., and Bristol, Tenn., are included in the watch. A Tornado Watch has been issued for far eastern Oklahoma, northwestern Arkansas, central and eastern Missouri, and southwestern Illinois. Fort Smith and Fayetteville, Ark., and Springfield and St. Louis, Mo., are included.
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Moderate Risk for organized severe weather in the lower Ohio Valley to northern Tennessee Valley through tonight. This includes St. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville and Bowling Green, Ky., and Nashville and Jackson, Tenn.
A large Enhanced Risk also surrounds the Moderate Risk from northeastern Arkansas to southeastern Missouri to southern Ohio, much of West Virginia into southwestern Virginia and eastern Tennessee. Memphis and Jackson, Tenn., Charleston, W. Va., Columbus, Ohio, Indianapolis, and Little Rock, Ark., northeastern suburbs will need to have a way to receive severe weather notifications throughout today.
Damaging winds of 60 to 80 mph will likely be the most widespread type of severe weather today, with large hail and strong tornadoes also a concern.
Farther east, dangerous weather will be problematic across the Mid-Atlantic through North Carolina throughout today. Damaging wind gusts will be the primary risk, though large hail and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out either.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Delaware, far eastern Maryland, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania. This includes Allentown and Philadelphia, Pa., Atlantic City and Trenton, N.J., and Wilmington and Dover, Del.
Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they be issued. A “watch” means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A “warning” means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.
The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water, and non-perishable food items. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today's severe weather. Remember, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"
