More severe weather maybe headed toward the metro-east this week?
Another round of severe weather is expected in the metro-east Monday evening as thunderstorms roll through after 6 p.m.
The area is currently in a level 2 weather risk area for potential severe weather, according to the National Weather Service in St. Louis, and all hazards – including damaging wind, large hail and tornadoes – are possible. There is also a threat of limited flooding.
Meteorologist Marshall Pfahler of the National Weather Service in St. Louis said this storm system is more widespread than the one that hit the area Friday, killing five and causing billions in damages in St. Louis.
It’s hard to say at this point whether or not the storm system will go from level 2 (slight risk) to level 3 (enhanced risk), he said. Currently the system consists mostly of thunderstorms, but a severe threat remains. Tornadoes can’t be ruled out.
“These storms will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes,” according to the National Weather Service’s hazardous weather outlook for Monday and Tuesday.
The scattered showers will be a “good soaking rain,” said Pfahler. There may be some pockets of rain that could result in flash flooding, but the chances for that are low, he said.
As of Monday morning, the National Weather Service reports a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon in the Belleville area. The day will be partly sunny with a high of 80.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely with more to come after midnight with chances of precipitation at 90%. Wind gusts could reach up to 24 mph. Shower and storms will continue into Tuesday morning, likely between 7 and 9 a.m. with a chance for more of the same after 9 a.m.
As the day progresses on Tuesday, skies will gradually become sunny with a high around 81. Winds could pick up with gusts as high as 23 mph. There is a 60% chance of precipitation. Tuesday night will have mostly clear skies and a low of 56.
The National Weather Service stated that an EF-3 tornado touched down in Clayton, Missouri, and expanded to nearly 1 mile wide and moved at 55 mph. Winds reached as high as 165 mph.
The tornado moved through northern St. Louis and into Illinois, where it continued to Granite City and Pontoon Beach. It dissipated near Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
