This is one of the hardest weather events to prepare for.... a tornado outbreak. It’s difficult to spread the word without scaring people because lets face it...tornadoes are Mother Nature’s fiercest phenomenon. I too, am frightened by tornadoes but it has been through my seeking research and explanation on how they behave that has given me some ease of mind when severe weather threatens. I encourage those of you with serious fears of storms and tornadoes to read as much as you can on the science behind them.

As I write this post, I constantly switch back and forth between this and the radar out west. Severe weather is already ongoing in the Southern Plains and the Red River Valley Wed night and the main storm system is just beginning to take shape. It will strengthen overnight and during the day on Thursday. Here is what we are looking at for our region...

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK had issued a moderate risk for severe weather for Thursday and Thursday night for the entire NewsChannel 6 viewing area. For a look at a map in detail, click here. There is talk from SPC of being upgraded to a High Risk. A High Risk is rare and is issued only a handful of times each year.

From early morning thru noon: scattered showers and a few thunderstorms will be possible, especially in SE Missouri. Storms may be strong but should remain below severe limits.

From Noon - 5pm: Isolated severe thunderstorms are expected to develop during the heat of the day. The amount of sunshine we receive will determine how many do develop. The more sunshine, the more numerous and dangerous the storms will be.

From 5pm - Overnight: A concentrated line of storms will come together in Missouri early evening and push eastward. This line will be associated with a strong cold front. We will have to monitor the progression of the cold front to see how long into the overnight the threat for severe weather will last. Best guess.....storms should exit the eastern counties in KY by 5am.

THREATS: A severe weather outbreak is looking more likely including large hail, destructive winds, and strong long-lived tornadoes. This threat is most likely from mid afternoon through the overnight into Friday morning.

Now is the time to prepare before storms strike. Review safety plans with your family and co-workers. Know where to go if severe weather strikes at night. Find a sturdy shelter, preferably a basement or lower level, interior room in your home. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Cover yourself from flying debris with a blanket or mattress. If you live in a mobile home, make plans to find alternative shelter. If caught outside, lie flat to the ground in a (water-free) ditch.

This may sound a bit cheesy but it is nothing but serious. When we are at risk for this kind of severe weather threat, we remember that Mother Nature will do her thing and we can only help give you the best information we have to keep you safe. We are very passionate about being here for our viewers when they need us most. We have the same worries and concerns for our families when severe weather threatens and know how important our job is. I personally feel like my purpose here on Earth is to be relied on during the most dangerous weather. We will be putting in some very long days ahead but in the end, it is totally worth it if it helps saves even one life!

Meteorologist Jennifer Rukavina