National Weather Service Issues ‘Severe’ Thunderstorm Alert For Tonight

A big storm is on the way.

The National Weather Service issued a “severe” thunderstorm watch on Tuesday for parts of the country.

Five U.S. states are expected to get hit with intense storms Tuesday evening. The weather could bring strong thunder and lightning, heavy rain and wind, large hail, and possibly an isolated tornado.

The NWS released the alert Tuesday evening.

“A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee until 10 PM CST,” the NWS announced.

Here’s a quick reminder of what to do when severe storms hit:

Stay Weather Ready: Keep listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updates on severe thunderstorm watches and warnings.
At Home: Head to your safe spot if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. Strong winds or large hail may be on the way. Take pets with you if possible.
At Work or School: Stay away from windows if a warning is issued and damaging wind or hail is coming. Avoid big open rooms like cafeterias, gyms, or auditoriums.
Outside: Go into a sturdy building right away if storms are approaching. Sheds and storage units aren’t safe. Don’t shelter under trees — they can fall or increase your risk of lightning strikes.
In a Vehicle: A vehicle is safer than being outdoors, but drive to the nearest secure shelter if you have enough time.

Thunderstorm warning.
Stay safe tonight.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.