A severe weather threat is expected Wednesday, with the greatest risk developing during the afternoon and evening hours.
Forecasters say two rounds of thunderstorms are likely, beginning Wednesday morning and continuing as a cold front moves through later in the day.
The highest threat area includes northeast Missouri and west-central Illinois.
Damaging straight-line winds are the primary concern, with a lower risk for large hail, isolated tornadoes, and localized flash flooding.
While strong to severe storms are expected, there is still uncertainty about exactly where the strongest storms will develop and how far south they will reach.
The next forecast update is expected by 5 p.m. Tuesday.