Hazardous weather expected tonight and tomorrow

PADUCAH, Ky. - The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for much of the region.

According to forecasters, heavy rain and lightning are anticipated tonight.

"There is a marginal risk of severe storms, mainly for hail, just to our west, and affecting the far western Ozarks in southeast Missouri, late tonight," the NWS reported.

However, thunderstorm chances spike Tuesday and Tuesday night, as a warm sector arrives ahead of an approaching cold front. The increasingly unstable airmass will be fortified by near record high temperatures in the 70s during the daytime Tuesday, the NWS stated "There continues to be an enhanced risk of severe storms for southeast Missouri and adjacent portions of southwest Illinois and far southwest Kentucky, mainly Tuesday afternoon and evening into Tuesday night, with a slight risk of severe storms across the remainder of the area," forecasters said. "Damaging winds will be the primary severe weather hazard, but large hail and isolated tornadoes may also be a possibility."

Residents should prepare for locally heavy rains and frequent lightning which will accompany the thunderstorms as well.

The cold front makes its passage through the region late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Depending upon its timing, the threat of severe

storms may linger into Wednesday morning, forecasters advised.