“These storms are expected to be associated with locally damaging wind gusts and hail. A few storms along the line may also produce tornadoes,” the agency said.
The Center said there was a tornado watch area about 75 miles east and west of a line that is about 70 miles northwest of St. Louis, Missouri, and about 15 east of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
“A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area,” the agency warned. “Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.”
The watch encompasses Barry, Christian, Dent, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster, and Wright counties.
Heavy thunderstorms and rain are expected to hit the Midwest continuing into the latter part of the week, “with damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes and flash flooding,” reported The Weather Channel.