Major Tornado Outbreak Forecast Today and Tonight

On the 40th anniversary of one of the worst tornado outbreaks in history, a tornado outbreak is forecast today and tonight.

Things have already started with this image, via Twitter, of the tornado damage in University City, MO, a suburb of St. Louis.

Needless to say, if you live in the threat areas below, keep up on the weather today!

Tornado Threat

NWS Storm Prediction Center

You'll recall yesterday's probabilities were 5% (brown) which is the threshold of a significant tornado threat. There were tornadoes but they were weaker than I though they would be. That said, today has triple the threat and the hatching means that major tornadoes (equal or stronger than F-2 intensity) are possible.

Damaging Thunderstorm Wind Threat

This evening or tonight, the storms may congeal into a line near the Mississippi River. If so, damaging thunderstorm winds become quite possible. The significant threshold is 15% (yellow).

Large Hail Threat

Again, the significant threat for large (1" or larger) hail is 15% (yellow). The hatched area is where hail 2" or larger is forecast.

Friday and Friday Night

This the combined threat graphic (tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds). The yellow (15%) is the significant threshold.