Park Hills, Mo. (KFMO) - The Parkland faces the threat of multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms today and Friday, with increasing confidence in the potential for damaging weather as we head into the weekend.

Thursday’s Threat:
Storms are expected to develop between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. across southeastern Missouri, particularly in areas under a Slight Risk of severe weather, which includes the southern half of St. Francois County, as well as Iron, Ste. Genevieve, and Madison counties. However, storm development is conditional — a cap, or a warm layer of air aloft, may prevent storms from forming.

If storms do break through that cap, they will likely be isolated but intense, capable of producing very large hail — possibly baseball size or larger — wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour, and weak EF0 to EF1 tornadoes.

Friday’s Threat:
Friday brings a higher risk for severe weather. A warm front will lift northward through the region, creating a much more unstable atmosphere. Storms could begin as early as 11 a.m. along and south of the I-44 corridor in Missouri and continue into the evening hours, with potential lasting until around 9 p.m.

The entire Parkland is now under an Enhanced Risk of severe weather on Friday. Very large hail remains the primary threat, but damaging wind gusts and tornadoes are also possible. Forecasters say there is a low but non-zero chance of a strong EF2 or greater tornado if the right conditions develop — particularly if storm coverage stays limited and individual cells can mature without competition.

Confidence is high that storms will develop on Friday, but there remains some uncertainty in how widespread they will be.

KFMO B104 News will continue to monitor the situation and bring you updates on-air and online as conditions change. Be sure to have multiple ways to receive warnings and stay weather-aware.