Heavy rain in forecast, then cold

The weather once again could give area residents a lot to talk about.

The National Weather Service office in Paducah was calling for the possibility of heavy rainfall and flooding from Wednesday, Feb. 6, into Thursday, today.

The soggy forecast comes after the region had thawed out from last week’s bitter cold weather, which was attributed to the polar vortex. 

For the period of Wednesday through Thursday, today, several upper air systems were expected to move over the area with abundant moisture and a boundary near the Ohio Valley.

This was likely to result in moderate to heavy rainfall across Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Western Kentucky.

The forecast called for widespread rainfall in amounts ranging from 2 to 4 inches.

Isolated higher amounts around 5 inches could not be ruled out, especially in areas near and just north of the Ohio River.

The rain is expected to end from west to east during the afternoon and evening hours on Thursday, today.

“The end result will be a risk for considerable flooding in low lying and poor drainage areas,” the weather service reported on its website.

“We will likely see rising water levels on area rivers, creeks and streams,” the weather service advised. 

“Localized flash flooding cannot be ruled out with some thunderstorms producing heavier rainfall rates.”

The chance for precipitation in the Union County area was forecast at 100 percent for Thursday, today.

The high temperature today is expected to be near 63 degrees, with strong wind gusts.

The weather service also reported that isolated strong to severe thunderstorms could not be ruled out for Wednesday and early today. The primary hazard was expected to be locally strong winds. 

“A small, brief tornado or two” could not be ruled out, the weather service added.

And then – the cold returns.

Winds are expected to shift from the south to the northwest during the afternoon. Winds gusts could reach 26 miles per hour.

The low temperature is expected to drop to around 21 tonight.

Friday is expected to be sunny and cold, with a high near 30, along with strong wind gusts.

Saturday is expected to be sunny and cold. Rain and snow are possible on Sunday.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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