Thursday’s storm threat in STL: Watches issued

ST. LOUIS — Pockets of sunshine near St. Louis are expected to recharge the atmosphere Thursday afternoon. This will likely aid in the development of storms at two slightly different times.

The first, and most likely time, appears to be south of metropolitan St. Louis by mid-to late afternoon. These storms have the greatest chance to become severe and produce some damaging winds, hail and perhaps a brief tornado. The timing should be between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.

As of Thursday evening, a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for much of the southern portion of the viewing area in both Missouri and Illinois. The watch is in effect until midnight.

A second zone of storms may develop northwest of St. Louis after 8 p.m. and sweep across the region between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. I am not as confident in this region of storms as I am in the southern storms earlier in the evening.

The storm threat will end late tonight and the rest of the forecast looks quiet with near normal temperatures.

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