The rating is midway on the meteorological scale of storm intensity, progressing through "marginal," "slight," "enhanced," "moderate," and "high."
The area of enhanced storms runs along a Paducah-to-Hopkinsville corridor, as well as all of southern Illinois and Indiana. A slight-to-enhanced risk is also indicated by the Paducah weather office for Mayfield, Benton, and Murray.
Thunderstorms could develop rapidly over those areas between 2 and 5pm.
A slight or marginal risk of severe weather encompasses the rest of extreme western Kentucky along the Mississippi River.
The threat of severe weather should diminish between 7 and 9pm.
The day will start with winds increasing to 25- to 35 miles per hour from Missouri eastward, and temperatures climbing into the upper 70s. Winds could become stronger around thunderstorms that may develop through the day.
Thunderstorms are expected to redevelop this afternoon and into the evening. Several of the thunderstorms could be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds and possibly a tornado or two.
Keep a weather radio handy, and monitor West Kentucky Star and local media.
On the Net:
Paducah Weather Service webpageNational Storm Prediction Center