TOR:CON 6: The Weather Channel Warns of Tornado Outbreak [Forecast]

The Weather Channel is warning residents of the Ohio Valley that a tornado outbreak could occur today.  In fact, the network's tornado expert Dr. Greg Forbes has placed parts of Western Kentucky in a TOR:CON 6 category.  Here's what that means . . .

According to The Weather Channel, a TOR:CON 6 rating gives the Ohio Valley a 60% chance of a tornado today within a 50-mile radius of where you are.  Tornado Watches have already been issued in parts of the nation and here's a detailed look at our forecast here in the tristate, courtesy of The National Weather Service.

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS...SOUTHWEST INDIANA...WESTERN KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST MISSOURI.

TODAY AND TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS OVER SOUTHEAST MISSOURI EARLY THIS MORNING WILL GRADUALLY EXPAND AND MOVE EAST THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND INTO THE EARLY EVENING HOURS ACROSS THE REST OF THE OUTLOOK AREA.

THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAL OKLAHOMA HAS INCLUDED THE ENTIRE AREA IN AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. DAMAGING WINDS, LARGE HAIL, AND TORNADOES ARE ALL POSSIBLE WITH THE STRONGER THUNDERSTORMS.

AT THIS TIME, THE TIME OF GREATEST CONCERN FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE FROM AROUND NOON AND EXTENDING INTO THE EARLY EVENING. A FEW NEAR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS MAY BE POSSIBLE WITH THE THUNDERSTORMS EARLY THIS MORNING OVER PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI.

WITHIN THE ENHANCED RISK FOR THUNDERSTORMS, THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT TORNADO DEVELOPMENT WILL EXTEND FROM THE SOUTHEAST MISSOURI DELTA REGION NEAR THE MISSOURI BOOTHEEL, NORTHEASTWARD INTO THE PURCHASE AREA AND SOUTHERN PENNYRILE REGIONS OF WEST KENTUCKY. THE EXTREME SOUTHERN TIP OF ILLINOIS IS
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ELEVATED RISK FOR TORNADOES.

THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER SHOULD COMPLETELY EXIT THE QUAD STATE REGION BY 9 PM CST.

Stay tuned to WBKR and WBKR.com for developments throughout the day.  If necessary, we will have continuous weather coverage from our news and weather partners from 44 News.