A few severe thunderstorms are possible this evening through late tonight, mainly between 9 PM and 3 AM for areas near and west of the Mississippi River. Hail up to quarter size, wind gusts up to 60 mph, and a brief tornado will be the primary severe weather hazards.

We have multiple chances for showers and thunderstorms in the forecast this weekend. The first round will arrive this morning and diminish by early afternoon. Another more significant round is forecast tonight through Sunday morning. We'll dry out beginning Sunday afternoon.

Just ahead of the rain's arrival, we spotted asperitas-like clouds at the office! www.metoffice.gov.uk…

A Flood Watch has been issued for much of southern and southeast Missouri beginning 7 PM tonight through 1 PM Sunday. Multiple rounds of heavy rain are possible here. Campers near streams and rivers here should be extremely vigilant for rising water levels!

Isolated thunderstorms are possible through early Saturday morning. Storms may redevelop Saturday afternoon and then become more numerous Saturday night. Storms will be capable of very heavy rain and if they linger over one area too long some flash flooding issues are possible.

On this date in Weather History: A macroburst produced winds up to 95 mph in Murray and Mayfield, KY back on June 7, 2014. Click here for additional details for that event: www.weather.gov/medi… Also, back in 1907 an F3 tornado struck Perry County Illinois.

We'd like to welcome two new NOAA Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors, both with the city of Du Quoin, IL!